Bill Text: NY J00156 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Revolutionary War General Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Rome, Oriskany, Whitestown, and Utica, New York on June 25, 2025

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2025-01-14 - ADOPTED [J00156 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-J00156-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 156

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        COMMEMORATING    the    200th    Anniversary    of
        Revolutionary War  General  Marquis  de  Lafayette's
        visit  to Rome, Oriskany, Whitestown, and Utica, New
        York on June 25, 2025

  WHEREAS, It is imperative of this Legislative Body to recognize  and
honor  those patriotic and courageous individuals who have given so much
of themselves in times of war for  the  advancement  of  the  democratic
ideals  and  principles  of  freedom  which  we have come to cherish and
regard; 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 Revolutionary War  General  Marquis
de  Lafayette's visit to Rome, Oriskany, Whitestown, and Utica, New York
on Wednesday, June 25, 2025; and

  WHEREAS, Marquis de Lafayette was a French aristocrat  and  military
officer  known  for  his  pivotal  role  in both the American and French
Revolutions; he was a companion of General, and later, President  George
Washington  and  was  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  American cause for
liberation from British rule; and

  WHEREAS, At age 19, Marquis de  Lafayette  sailed  to  the  American
colonies  in  1777,  and  secured  a  commission as a major general; the
Frenchman played a crucial role in several key  battles,  including  the
Battle of Brandywine and the Siege of Yorktown, where his efforts helped
secure American independence from Britain; and

  WHEREAS,  Marquis  de  Lafayette's contributions were not limited to
America; after the American Revolution, he returned to France and became
involved in the French Revolution, advocating for  liberal  reforms;  he
served  in various military and political positions but faced challenges
during the turbulent years of the revolution; and

  WHEREAS, In 1825, Marquis de Lafayette was invited back to visit the
United States by President James Monroe; the general was  invited  on  a
great  tour  of  all  24  states  at  the time, and was regarded as "The
Nation's Guest," and was met with great applause and  high  commendation
among all the sites he visited; and

  WHEREAS,  Of  the  many  locations Marquis de Lafayette visited were
Rome, Oriskany, Whitestown, and Utica, New York; and

  WHEREAS, At 68 years old, Marquis de Lafayette's stopped in Rome and
then in Oriskany to visit with Colonel Gerrit Lansing, who fought  under
his  command  at  the  Battle  of  Yorktown  in  1781;  he  then visited
Whitesboro to visit with  the  widow  of  Hugh  White,  the  founder  of
Whitestown in 1784; and

  WHEREAS,  During  his visit to Utica, New York, Marquis de Lafayette
was met with the celebratory sounds of booming  cannons,  bells  ringing
atop all the local churches, and approximately 5,000 citizens' cheers in

honor  of  his  valiant service and aid in American freedom from British
governance; and

  WHEREAS,  Later,  Marquis  de  Lafayette  visits the home of Abigail
Adams Johnson on Genesee Street;  she  is  married  to  Alexander  Bryan
Johnson,  a  well-known  banker,  economist,  and  linguist  from Utica;
Abigail is the granddaughter of former  President  John  Adams  and  the
niece  of  the  sitting  President,  John  Quincy  Adams; her father was
Charles Adams, the second son of John Adams; and

  WHEREAS, Following his visit to the Utica area, Marquis de Lafayette
boarded a boat on the  Erie  Canal  and  headed  for  Frankfort,  Ilion,
Mohawk, Herkimer, and Little Falls; and

  WHEREAS, Despite various challenges imposed by the French government
and  his participation in two revolutions, Marquis de Lafayette's legacy
as a symbol of internationalism, freedom, and the  bond  between  France
and  the  United  States  endures;  he  remains  a  highly  regarded and
celebrated champion for  American  freedom  whose  legacy  has  enduring
impacts so close to home for many New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Revolutionary War  General  Marquis
de  Lafayette's visit to Rome, Oriskany, Whitestown, and Utica, New York
on June 25, 2025.