Bill Text: NY J01109 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-04-30 - ADOPTED [J01109 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J01109-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1109 BY: Senator METZGER COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and cultural enrichment of their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair through a year-long Season of Song and Celebration; and WHEREAS, Hosted by the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, this auspicious occasion will be observed with a myriad of events from August 15-18, 2019, at the original site located in Bethel, New York; and WHEREAS, During this Anniversary Week, all are welcome to visit the historic site and museum, hear music where history was made, and reflect and memoiralize the legacy of this hallowed ground; and WHEREAS, From August 15-18, 1969, one of the most renowned music festivals in history took place on Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm near White Lake in Bethel, New York; and WHEREAS, At a time when Americans were deeply divided, over 400,000 people from across the country gathered in these fields to celebrate An Aquarian Experience: Three Days of Peace and Music; these three days of 32 legendary performances, unimaginable mud, and unforgettable experiences helped the Woodstock Music and Art Fair become a symbol of an entire generation; and WHEREAS, Originally, about 50,000 people were expected, however, by Wednesday, August 13, 1969, at least that number were already camped out on location and over 100,000 tickets pre-sold; as an estimated one million people descended on Woodstock, its organizers scrambled to add more facilities; highways and local roads came to a standstill and many concert-goers simply abandoned their cars and trekked the rest of the way on foot; eventually, about half a million people reached the venue; and WHEREAS, The Woodstock audience was diverse and a reflection of the rapidly-changing times; there was a sense of social harmony, which, with the quality of music, and the overwhelming mass of people, many sporting bohemian dress, behavior, and attitudes, helped to make it one of the enduring events of the century; and WHEREAS, As the weekend came to a close, most of the Woodstock attendees left the venue exhausted, yet joyful and satisfied; the festival was truly an opportunity for people to escape into music and spread a message of unity and peace; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of the performing arts, which act to inspire, enlighten, and unify people from all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of human expression; and WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression of the soul; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.