Senate Resolution No. 761

BY: Senator RITCHIE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 2, 2017, 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
decorated 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 more than 30 years, Fort Drum has been home to the
United States Army's storied 10th Mountain Division, one of the most
deployed units in the U.S. Army; and

WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division served with honor, distinction
and great sacrifice as 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 the first to be deployed in the aftermath of
those attacks and the last units to return from combat duty; and

WHEREAS, In addition to Operation Enduring Freedom, 10th Mountain
Division deployments have included Hurricane Andrew Relief in Florida,
Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti,
Task Force Eagle in Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

WHEREAS, More than 300 brave men and women who were members of the
10th Mountain Division and based at Fort Drum have given their lives in
the cause of defeating 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 employer in Northern New York, and an economic
engine for the State and region, with a direct impact of more than $1
billion; and

WHEREAS, The 19,000 soldiers and officers of Fort Drum and their
families are an integral part of the community, and are welcomed as
neighbors, co-workers, classmates, friends and fellow New Yorkers; 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, For the past six years, 10th Mountain Division and Fort
Drum Day has served to educate members of this Legislative Body about
the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of our armed forces, as
well as the importance of the installation to our Nation's defense and
New York's economy; 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 May 2, 2017, as 10th
Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Major General Walter E. Piatt, Commanding General, 10th
Mountain Division and Fort Drum.