LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished values
that are worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is hereby
moved to honor those exemplary organizations that are devoted to
preserving and protecting such values; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor and
recognize the 100th Anniversary of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(ROTC); and
WHEREAS, One hundred years ago, on June 3, 1916, President Woodrow
Wilson signed the National Defense Act of 1916 to establish the Reserve
Officers' Training Corps (ROTC); and
WHEREAS, Although military training had been taking place in civilian
colleges and universities as early as 1819, the signing of the National
Defense Act brought this training under a single, federally-controlled
entity; and
WHEREAS, The first Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) units were
established in the autumn of 1916 at 46 schools with a combined enroll-
ment of about 40,000 students; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception the Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(ROTC) steadily grew, and by the time the United States entered World
War II, the program had produced more than 100,000 officers; and
WHEREAS, The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is now the
largest officer-producing organization with the American military,
having commissioned more than half a million second lieutenants since
its inception; and
WHEREAS, The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) currently
commissions over 5,000 second lieutenants each year, and approximately
70 percent of the second lieutenants who join the active Army, the Army
National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve are commissioned through the
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC); and
WHEREAS, Since the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) came into
existence, more than 600,000 men and women have earned a commission
through the program; among them are two chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, seven Army chiefs of staff, two Cabinet secretaries, and a
sitting Supreme Court associate justice; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) has
more than 200 programs located at colleges and universities throughout
the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam with an
enrollment of more than 30,000; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the past century, the United States and its army
has faced numerous challenges both at home and abroad; wars against
foreign governments were fought and won; economic depressions endured;
medical, scientific and technological advances were made; and the U.S.
led peacekeeping operations that contributed to greater global stabili-
ty; and
WHEREAS, The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and its members
can look back with pride on its rich history of providing excellent
service to the community and our nation, and it can look forward to
carrying on its mission for many years to come; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
organizations that serve to enhance the vitality of their communities
and that have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence,
deserving the applause of all the citizens of this great nation; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Reserve Officers'
Training Corps (ROTC); and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Syracuse University Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Stalwart Battalion and the Syracuse University Air Force Reserve Offi-
cers' Training Corps Detachment 535.