Assembly Resolution No. 474

BY: M. of A. Norris

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalistic entities which have diligently and
consistently, year after year, recorded the history of their communities
and brought local news and news of the larger world to their readers;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal in
continuous publication as a weekly or daily newspaper; and

WHEREAS, Through a series of startups and mergers involving at least
18 papers over an approximately 95-year period, this newspaper traces
its parentage to the weekly Niagara Democrat and the Lockport Journal;
and

WHEREAS, Lockport's first newspaper, the Niagara Democrat, was
published on December 8, 1821, by editor, Bartemus Ferguson; it was
believed that if Lockport were to have a newspaper, it would improve its
chances of being selected as the county seat; and

WHEREAS, In early 1822, the Niagara Democrat was renamed the
Lockport Observatory, and Bartemus Ferguson was succeeded as editor by
Orsamus Turner; in 1824, an employee of Orsamus Turner created the first
composition ink roller ever used in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Lockport Daily Journal, identified as a Free-Soil paper
was established in 1851, by Moses C. Richardson; two years later, he
brought the first cylinder press to the village of Lockport; and

WHEREAS, In 1858, the Lockport Daily Journal merged with the
Lockport Courier to become the Lockport Daily Journal and Courier; in
1871, ownership changes in the publication resulted in returning to its
roots as the Lockport Daily Journal, still under the guidance of Moses
C. Richardson who remained at the helm until 1880; and

WHEREAS, The Daily Union was launched in 1860, by a group of local
leaders, headed by Solon S. Pomroy; in 1862, the Daily Union absorbed
the failing, merged enterprise known as the Daily Advertiser and
Democrat; the Daily Union and its successor continued the Niagara
Democrat as a weekly; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Daily Union merged with the Lockport Sun
in 1895, creating the Lockport Union-Sun which was delegated the
official newspaper of the City of Lockport and the County of Niagara in
1899; and

WHEREAS, The Lockport Daily Journal acquired ownership of the
Lockport Daily Review in 1911, and the consolidation was known as the
Lockport Journal; and


WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Union-Sun purchased the Lockport Journal,
and established the Union-Sun & Journal, in 1915; the headquarters were
located at 142 Main Street, where the paper had set up shop at the turn
of the century, remaining there until 1966, when the Union-Sun & Journal
opened a state-of-the-art printing plant and offices at 459 South
Transit Street; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, the esteemed newspaper returned to Main Street,
opening an office at 135 Main Street, virtually across the way from the
old Union-Sun & Journal plant; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal is proudly serving
all of eastern Niagara County, publishing six editions per week,
alongside a website, social media content, news and event-driven
standalone publications and the free, weekly Hometown Extra; and

WHEREAS, Our newspapers provide a tremendous service to citizens
across the State of New York by keeping them informed about current
events; the democracy of our State and Nation is strengthened by a
responsible citizenry which is actively engaged in reading and kept
abreast of news affecting their lives; and

WHEREAS, As the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal moves into the future,
it carries with it the legacy of a distinguished journalistic history
and an outstanding record of growth and achievement; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.