LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Memorial
Day in the Village of Waterloo, New York, on May 30th, 2016

WHEREAS, In the course of the evolving development of this Empire State,
certain communities have endured and exist today as evidence of the
proud heritage of this State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Settled in 1792, the Village of Waterloo has a particularly
vibrant heritage and holds claim to a number of historically significant
events in the progression of this State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Most notably, the Village of Waterloo is proud to have Feder-
al designation as the birthplace of Memorial Day; this National Holiday,
celebrated the last Monday during the month of May, was first observed
one hundred and fifty years ago in Waterloo, New York; and
WHEREAS, On May 30th, 2016, the community of Waterloo will celebrate
the 150th anniversary of the founding of Memorial Day with a myriad of
events scheduled throughout the day including ceremonies at area ceme-
teries, a dignitary reception at the National Memorial Day Museum, and a
Memorial Day parade down Main Street, as well as a commemorative ceremo-
ny in Lafayette Park; and
WHEREAS, During the summer of 1865, a prominent local druggist, Henry
C. Welles, mentioned to some of his friends at a social gathering that
while praising the living veterans of the Civil War it would be well to
remember the patriotic dead by placing flowers on their graves; the
following year he advanced the idea again to General John B. Murray; and
WHEREAS, General John B. Murray, an intensely patriotic Civil War hero
supported the idea wholeheartedly and marshalled veterans' support;
plans were developed for a more complete celebration by a local citi-
zens' committee headed by Henry C. Welles and General John B. Murray;
and
WHEREAS, On May 5th, 1866, the Village of Waterloo was decorated with
flags at half mast, draped with evergreens and mourning black; veterans,
civic societies and residents, led by General John B. Murray, marched to
the strains of martial music to the three village cemeteries where cere-
monies were held and soldiers' graves decorated; and
WHEREAS, One year later, the ceremonies were repeated and in 1868,
Waterloo joined with other communities in holding their observance on
May 30th, in accordance with General Logan's orders, and has been held
annually ever since; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Waterloo held the first formal, village wide
annual observance of a day dedicated to honoring the war dead and on
March 7th, 1966, the State of New York recognized Waterloo by a procla-
mation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller; the United States
Congress followed in recognizing Waterloo when the House of Represen-
tatives and the Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution
587 on May 17th and May 19th, 1966, respectively; and
WHEREAS, The Resolution reads in part as follows: "Resolved that the
Congress of the United States, in recognition of the patriotic tradition
set in motion one hundred years ago in the Village of Waterloo, New
York, does hereby officially recognize Waterloo, New York as the birth-
place of Memorial Day,.."; on May 26th, 1966, President Lyndon B. John-
son, signed a Presidential Proclamation recognizing the Village of
Waterloo as the official birthplace of Memorial Day; and
WHEREAS, Each Memorial Day our Nation remembers those veterans who
served in our Armed Forces with a special remembrance to those who made
the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, In remembering our deceased veterans, we recall their courage
and patriotism which, throughout more than 200 years of the existence of

the United States, have served to preserve our most precious freedoms;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Memorial Day in
Waterloo, New York, on May 30th, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Village of Waterloo, New York.