Bill Text: NY K00986 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Robert Emerson for special recognition after 25 years of service as Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara of Youngstown, New York
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-05-24 - adopted [K00986 Detail]
Download: New_York-2021-K00986-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 986 BY: M. of A. Norris COMMENDING Robert Emerson for special recognition after 25 years of service as Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara of Youngstown, New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts of those individuals who seek to bring recognition to historical places within the State of New York, and in doing so, help to ensure that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved and shared with present generations of citizens; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Robert Emerson for special recognition after 25 years of service as Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara of Youngstown, New York; and WHEREAS, Located at the mouth of the Niagara River, Old Fort Niagara is the oldest continuously occupied military site in North America; in 1934, it was opened as a historic site and public museum; and WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Executive Director Robert Emerson, visitors from both far and near will see the oldest buildings in the Great Lakes region, living history programs, exhibits, and special events; and WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Robert Emerson has accomplished numerous goals which has greatly benefitted the museum; he has raised funds for exhibit and building improvements; initiated, organized, and participated in the 300th Anniversary of the establishment of the Magazin Royal; orchestrated the 250th British siege of Fort Niagara in 2009; put the Fort on a fiscally responsible schedule; continued work on preserving the buildings and grounds of Old Fort Niagara; developed wide variety school outreach programs using field trips, YouTube videos, and in-person visits; and started the OFN music program; and WHEREAS, Robert Emerson has also written numerous historical articles and given PowerPoint presentations from Fort Niagara and Vauban architecture to African American History, World War I ROTC Training Camp, Captain Daniel de Beaujeu, and many other historical topics dealing with the Fort; and WHEREAS, In addition, Robert Emerson has promoted early area French history and culture by creating French Heritage Days which include a component for school tours; presided over hundreds of re-enactments; worked with granting agencies and fire companies to procure a Fire Trailer that could navigate through the narrow original Postern Gate of the Fort in case of fire as well as an AED device; hosted RIT with their Big Shot Program, Army staff rides, a naturalization ceremony, and many television programs; and raised awareness of the Fort within the local community by public speaking, parades, programs, and articles; and WHEREAS, Currently, Robert Emerson is working on building a Native Barracks to be used in Native Interpretation at the Fort; and WHEREAS, Through Robert Emerson's steadfast and unremitting commitment, Old Fort Niagara has become known for its hospitality, helpfulness, and cleanliness as well as its educational benefits; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to express its highest admiration for Robert Emerson, and for all of the individuals who have worked to bring proper attention to a place and time which merits recognition in the grand panorama of the history of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Robert Emerson for special recognition after 25 years of service as Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Robert Emerson.