Bill Text: NY J00055 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Commemorating the 225th Anniversary of the Town of Bethlehem

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-15 - ADOPTED [J00055 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00055-Introduced.html

---

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.