Assembly Resolution No. 853

BY: M. of A. Brabenec

COMMEMORATING the 217th Birthday of William H.
Seward, former New York State Senator, former New
York State Governor, former United States Senator,
former United States Secretary of State, and
purchaser of Florida, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate the
217th Birthday of William H. Seward, former New York State Senator,
former New York State Governor, former United States Senator, former
United States Secretary of State, and purchaser of Florida, New York;
and

WHEREAS, To observe this auspicious occasion, a special event,
"William Henry Seward's Birthday Celebration" will be held on Saturday,
May 19, 2018; on this day, the school children and town are involved in
a host of activities including a wreath laying at his monument,
pictures, media events, presentations, and speeches from elected
officials, as well as a birthday cake; and

WHEREAS, William Henry Seward was born in Florida on May 16, 1801,
and died in Auburn, New York, on October 12, 1872, where he spent much
of his adult life; and

WHEREAS, William Henry Seward made a monumental impact in the
histories of not only Orange County, but New York State and the entire
country, serving in numerous leadership capacities such as New York
Senator, New York Governor, United States Senator and Secretary of State
for both the Lincoln and Johnson administrations; and

WHEREAS, Sympathetic to the plights of runaway slaves, William Henry
Seward offered his home in Auburn as a stop on the Underground Railroad,
where he hid slaves on their way to Canada; and

WHEREAS, In 1867, William Henry Seward acquired Alaska for the
United States from Russia; through the years he tried in vain to
purchase Hawaii and the Dutch West Indies, as well as build a canal in
Panama; all of which came to fruition long after his death; and

WHEREAS, After a failed presidential bid in 1860, William Henry
Seward served as President Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of State; in this
capacity, he was instrumental in the passage of the Emancipation
Proclamation; and

WHEREAS, Bound to his roots, William Henry Seward was a vital part
of the S.S. Seward Institute in Florida, New York, a school which his
father founded in 1846; and

WHEREAS, William Henry Seward will forever be remembered for his
achievements in office, and for his foresight in anticipating the future
needs of the United States; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for William Henry Seward, and for all

of the individuals who have worked to bring proper attention to an
individual and time which merits recognition in the grand panorama of
the history of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 217th Birthday of William H. Seward, former New York
State Senator, former New York State Governor, former United States
Senator, former United States Secretary of State, and purchaser of
Florida, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Florida Historical Society.