J 361: Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal

 Senate Resolution No. 361 BY: Senator WALCZYK COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize events of historical significance which have had a profound effect on the development of the State and Nation; 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 completion of the Erie Canal; and WHEREAS, The Erie Canal was constructed between July 4, 1817, and October 26, 1825, and was a monumental engineering feat of its time; the Canal was initially facilitated under Governor DeWitt Clinton who is known as the "Father of the Erie Canal"; and WHEREAS, The Erie Canal was a monumental challenge due to its engineering complexity; workers faced difficult terrain, poor working conditions, and harsh weather; and WHEREAS, This unrivaled marvel featured locks, allowing boats to navigate elevation changes, and aqueducts, allowing the Canal to pass over rivers and streams; and WHEREAS, The Erie Canal traverses east to west through Upstate New York as part of the cross-state route of the New York State Canal System; it was built to create a navigable water route for the transport of goods across New York State from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes Basin, originally stretching for 363 miles from the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo; and WHEREAS, Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal was the second-longest canal in the world and greatly enhanced the development and economy of many major cities of the State of New York; the Canal revolutionized trade, significantly lowering transportation costs and enabling farmers and merchants to access international markets; and WHEREAS, The Erie Canal facilitated settlement and trade which accelerated population growth in Upstate New York after its completion; it spurred the economic development of New York City, which became the dominant port in the United States, as goods moved more efficiently through the canal system; and WHEREAS, The success of the Erie Canal inspired the construction of other canals domestically and internationally, promoting the development of canal systems worldwide; and WHEREAS, Today, instead of shipping barges in view, canoes, kayaks, and tour boats can often be found on the beloved waterway, and residents and visitors enjoy walking or running along the towpath which follows the Erie Canal for 340 miles; and WHEREAS, The Erie Canal remains a symbol of New York State's historical significance and is used for recreational boating, tourism, and still some freight transport as part of the New York State Canal System; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, New York.