Assembly Resolution No. 357

BY: M. of A. Palmesano

        COMMEMORATING  the  225th  Anniversary  of Steuben
        County, New York

  WHEREAS, It is the intent of this  Legislative  Body  to  honor  and
commemorate   the  distinguished  histories  of  the  communities  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 Steuben County, New York; and

  WHEREAS, This historic county's celebration provides us an  exciting
opportunity   to  illuminate  the  little-known  stories  of  the  past;
throughout the coming year, Steuben County will honor  the  individuals,
who  through  their  contributions  and sacrifices, helped to build this
community; and

  WHEREAS, Steuben  County  will  endeavor  to  acknowledge  the  many
moments,  when  the  eyes  of  the  world  were upon them, and they will
celebrate the inventors, the individuals, and the millions of immigrants
who helped to forge the community and county; and

  WHEREAS, Established during George Washington's presidency in  1796,
Steuben  County  includes most of Keuka Lake and was created at the same
time as the six original Towns of Bath,  Addison,  Dansville,  Canisteo,
Wayne, and the Town of Corning; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, parts of the original Steuben County have gone
to  help  create  four  other counties, Allegany, Livingston, Yates, and
Schuyler; and

  WHEREAS, Steuben County is  the  largest  of  the  14  Finger  Lakes
counties  in  terms  of area, and seventh in the state; the Finger Lakes
Trail system has more miles in Steuben than any other county; and

  WHEREAS, Traditionally an agricultural  area  known  for  its  dairy
farms,  lumber, grain, potatoes and grapes, Steuben County has also been
a center of technological innovation; the first army aircraft (a blimp),
the first navy  aircraft  (a  seaplane),  and  the  first  Marine  Corps
aircraft  (a  land  plane)  all  came from Hammondsport, where America's
first woman pilot, Blanche Stuart Scott, made her first flight; and

  WHEREAS, While still an important part of the  economy,  agriculture
has  given  way to other major economic developments, including tourism,
with many attractions, much scenic beauty and  pleasant  accommodations;
and

  WHEREAS,  After  the  Civil  War,  the  New  York State Soldiers and
Sailors Home, now Bath V.A. Medical Center, was established  in  Steuben
County,  as well as the Bath National Cemetery where 18 unknown soldiers
from the War of 1812 were laid to rest; and

  WHEREAS, Steuben County is also well-known for its County Fair which
dates back to 1819, and the Steuben  County  Dairy  Festival  which  was
established in 1957; and

  WHEREAS,  Steuben  County is New York State's perennial chart topper
when it comes to whitetail deer, and offers some of the best hunting  in
the  entire  Finger Lakes region for black bear, deer, turkey, and more;
and

  WHEREAS, A number of notable people from many differing  livelihoods
have  come from Steuben County, including Tuskegee Airman and veteran of
three wars, George Haley; suffragist, Anna  Cadgan  Etz;  glass  artist,
Frederick  Carder;  industrial  giant  and  a  pioneer  in  motorcycles,
aviation, and travel trailers, Glenn Curtiss;  dancer,  Bill  T.  Jones;
pioneers  in  the  fight  for  birth  control  rights,  Margaret Sanger,
Katherine   Houghton   Hepburn,   and    Ethel    Byrne;    Civil    War
heroes/Congressional  Medal  of Honor recipients, Morris Brown and David
L. Smith; and Austin Steward, who escaped from slavery in Steuben County
to become an entrepreneur and abolitionist; and

  WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb  and  flow  of  decades  of
growth  and change, Steuben County continues its commitment to enhancing
the quality of life of  its  citizens,  ensuring  a  positive  business,
institutional  and  educational  climate,  and  providing  all essential
services; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate   the   225th  Anniversary  of  Steuben  County,  New  York,
recognizing the significance of the role it continues  to  play  in  the
life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Steuben County, New York.