Assembly Resolution No. 498

BY: M. of A. Kolb

COMMEMORATING the 151st Anniversary of Memorial
Day in the Village of Waterloo, New York, on May
30th, 2017

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
Federal 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, 2017, the community of Waterloo will celebrate
the 151st Anniversary of the founding of Memorial Day with a myriad of
events scheduled throughout the day including ceremonies at area
cemeteries, a dignitary reception at the National Memorial Day Museum,
and a Memorial Day parade down Main Street, as well as a commemorative
ceremony 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
citizens' 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 ceremonies 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
proclamation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller; the United States
Congress followed in recognizing Waterloo when the House of

Representatives 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
birthplace of Memorial Day,.."; on May 26th, 1966, President Lyndon B.
Johnson, 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 151st Anniversary of the founding of Memorial Day in
Waterloo, New York, on May 30th, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Village of Waterloo, New York.