LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 17, 2015, as 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, Fort Drum is located in Jefferson County, in Northern New York,
and is the largest military installation in the Northeastern United
States; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum is named for Lieutenant General Hugh Drum, a deco-
rated national hero, former commander of First Army, and an early leader
of the State's own volunteer militia, the New York Guard; and
WHEREAS, For 30 years, Fort Drum has been home to the United States'
Army's storied 10th Mountain Division; and
WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division includes the Army's most deployed
combat units, serving with honor, distinction and great sacrifice as a
part of Operation Enduring Freedom and other actions central to our
Nation's response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Elements of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in
New York State, were first to be deployed in the aftermath of those
attacks and, 13 years later, the last units to return from combat duty,
so for the first time in more than a decade, nearly all of Fort Drum's
soldiers and officers are back at home in New York State; and
WHEREAS, 323 brave men and women who were members of the 10th Mountain
Division and based at Fort Drum gave their lives in the cause of defeat-
ing global terrorism; and
WHEREAS, The distinguished service of units posted to Fort Drum has
been celebrated by Presidents, members of Congress, and members of the
international community; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its vital role in our Nation's defense, Fort
Drum is the largest single-site employer in the State of New York, and
an economic engine for the State and region, with a direct impact of
more than $1.2 billion in 2014, and more than $20 billion since the
reactivation of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum; and
WHEREAS, The 18,000 soldiers and officers of Fort Drum and their fami-
lies, are an integral part of the community, and are welcomed as neigh-
bors, co-workers, classmates, friends and fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, The Army command is presently reviewing the status of mili-
tary facilities around the globe and will soon make recommendations
which will impact the future of Fort Drum and surrounding communities;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to salute the
soldiers and officers of the 10th Mountain Division, to honor their
dedication to preserving our freedom, and our Nation, and to recognize
their individual and collective contributions to our communities and to
New York State; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum has and will continue to play an important and
essential role in ensuring our Nation's military readiness to defend our
State and Nation against hostility and threats to our safety and
national security; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 17, 2015, as 10th
Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, Major General Stephen J. Townsend, Commanding General of Fort
Drum, the 10th Mountain Division, The Honorable John M. McHugh, Secre-

tary of the Army, and members of Congress representing the State of New
York.