Senate Resolution No. 730

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMEMORATING the 90th Anniversary of the Peace
Bridge

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to support the
preservation and commemoration of historical landmarks which express and
preserve the social and cultural origins of this great State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Peace Bridge; and

WHEREAS, On August 7, 1927, the Peace Bridge was officially
dedicated to celebrate the 100 years of peace between the United States
and Canada; during the opening ceremony, attendants included The Prince
of Wales, Prince George; Canadian Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie
King; British Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin; United States Vice
President, Charles Dawes; Secretary of State, Frank Kellogg; New York
Governor, Al Smith and Ontario Premier, Howard Ferguson; and

WHEREAS, As the second-busiest business border crossing between the
United States and Canada, it is an integral part of our trade industry;
billions of dollars in trade cross the bridge every year bringing goods
from all over Canada through Fort Erie, Ontario and from the United
States through Buffalo, New York across the Peace Bridge; and

WHEREAS, Built with steel from Lackawanna's Bethlehem Steel Company,
the bridge took 11 months to build, measuring at 4,400 feet long and
9,000 tons at completion; spanning from Fort Erie to Buffalo, the main
span of the bridge crosses the canal at a height of 100 feet; and

WHEREAS, The Peace Bridge has been a prodigious addition to the
economic growth in the Buffalo area, bringing many tourists to the area
to walk across the bridge and enjoy the breathtaking views of the
Niagara River, Lake Erie, and the City of Buffalo skyline; and

WHEREAS, Visitors of this modern architectural marvel are also able
to view two exhibits, "Mewinzha - A Journey Back in Time" and "The
Bridge that Peace Built", which explain the history of the bridge as
well as the economic, historical, cultural and familial ties Canada and
New York share; and

WHEREAS, Recently, the Peace Bridge pioneered a new sustainable
light system, that uses just one-third of the energy of the previous
system; this renovation was funded by the United States Federal
Transportation Enhancement Program with support from the Buffalo and
Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to join in the
celebration of the 90th Anniversary so that present and future
generations may come to appreciate the unique significance which its
history plays in the progression of our State and Nation's evolution;
now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Peace Bridge, as well as
recognize its significant history and dynamic symbolism to the alliance
that the United States has with Canada; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Byron Brown, Mayor of Buffalo.