LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 3, 2016, as Doughnut Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges noteworthy events in America's history which deserve special
recognition such as the creation of the doughnut; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 3, 2016, as Doughnut Day
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Doughnut Day; and
WHEREAS, National Doughnut Day started in 1938 as a fundraiser for
Chicago, Illinois' The Salvation Army; their goal was to help the needy
during the Great Depression, and to honor The Salvation Army "Lassies"
of World War I, who served doughnuts to soldiers; and
WHEREAS, Soon after the entrance of the United States into World War I
in 1917, The Salvation Army sent a fact-finding mission to France which
concluded that the needs of United States enlisted men could be met by
canteens or social centers called huts; volunteers in huts could serve
baked goods, provide writing supplies and stamps, and provide a clothes-
mending service; and
WHEREAS, About 250 Salvation Army volunteers went to France to staff
the huts which typically included two male staff members and four female
volunteers who could "mother" the boys; these huts were established by
The Salvation Army in the United States near army training centers; and
WHEREAS, After experiencing difficulties with providing freshly baked
goods from huts which were established in abandoned buildings near the
front lines, two Salvation Army volunteers, Ensign Margaret Sheldon and
Adjutant Helen Purviance, came up with the idea of providing doughnuts;
and
WHEREAS, The doughnuts were reported to have been an instant hit, and
soon many soldiers were visiting The Salvation Army huts; often on one
day, volunteers could be busy baking 22 pies and making 300 doughnuts;
and
WHEREAS, Soon, the women who made the doughnuts became known by the
servicemen as Doughnut Dollies; Doughnut Dollies were women volunteers
of The Salvation Army who traveled to France in 1918 to support United
States soldiers; and
WHEREAS, A misapprehension has taken hold that the provision of dough-
nuts to United States enlisted men in World War I is the origin of the
term "doughboy" to describe United States infantry; however, that term
was in use as early as the Mexican-American War of 1846-47; and
WHEREAS, In addition, during the Second World War, Red Cross Volun-
teers also distributed doughnuts, and it became routine to refer to the
Red Cross women as Doughnut Dollies; and
WHEREAS, In Chicago, National Doughnut Day is still a fundraiser for
The Salvation Army; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 3, 2016, as Dough-
nut Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Doughnut Day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.