Senate Resolution No. 55

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMEMORATING the 225th Anniversary of the Town of
Bethlehem

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the proud and distinguished histories of the towns and
villages which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Bethlehem; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Bethlehem is a dynamic and diverse community
with a population of over 35,000 and total area of 52 square miles; and

WHEREAS, Incorporated in March of 1793, ten years after the American
Revolutionary War ended, Bethlehem is situated on the west bank of the
Hudson River, bordering Albany, the capital city of New York State; and

WHEREAS, With a unique combination of friendly neighborhoods and
rural beauty, the Town of Bethlehem includes the hamlets of Delmar,
Elsmere, Glenmont, North Bethlehem, Selkirk, Slingerlands and South
Bethlehem; and

WHEREAS, Vital in the development of this storied town, the
Slingerland family built the oldest standing home in the eponymous
hamlet and was instrumental in bringing a railroad through town; they
also established a post office and implemented a water system which
served multiple municipalities; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Adams served as Delmar's first postmaster in
1840, and constructed the historic house which bears his surname; and

WHEREAS, The individuals who helped shape the Town into what it is
today played important roles years before Bethlehem was actually
founded; Sergeant James Selkirk, for whom the hamlet of Selkirk is
named, was a revolutionary soldier whose discharge from the Second
Regiment of New York was signed by George Washington only months before
the war ended in 1783; and

WHEREAS, The Haswells, who rented 300 acres near the present-day
Haswell Farms development on Feura Bush Road, did not fight in the
Revolutionary War; they supported the fight for independence by
contributing financially to the effort; a home built by William Haswell
in 1820 still stands at the entrance to Haswell Farms today; and

WHEREAS, A plaque at the entrance of Mount Pleasant Cemetery in
South Bethlehem indicates the gravesite of Patrick Callanan, who served
with the Third Regiment of the Albany County Militia during the
Revolution; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, 59 years after his death in 1824, Peter
Callanan, Patrick's great-grandson, founded the Callanan Road

Improvement Company; the business ultimately became Callanan Industries,
which continues to operate in South Bethlehem; and

WHEREAS, Callanans Corners and the Callanan Quarry also owe their
names to this early Bethlehem family; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Town Supervisor David
VanLuven, Bethlehem offers high-quality school systems, excellent
recreational facilities for young and old, and superb programs and
services; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, its blend of suburban neighborhoods, rural
life, and commercial enterprises make it a pleasant, attractive, and
enjoyable community for businesses and residents alike; and

WHEREAS, Of historic origin, and remaining fruitful over the ebb and
flow of decades of growth and change, the Town of Bethlehem continues to
provide the quintessential quality of life for its residents; and

WHEREAS, The residents of the Town of Bethlehem have a bright
outlook for the future of their community, which remains a beautiful
place in which to live and raise a family; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the Town of Bethlehem's rich history and
enduring contribution to the State of New York, this Legislative Body is
proud to pay tribute to this spirited town upon the occasion of its
225th Anniversary; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Bethlehem; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to David VanLuven, Supervisor, Town of Bethlehem.