Senate Resolution No. 1139

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the
formation of the Rough Riders, Teddy Roosevelt's 1st
United States Volunteer Calvary on June 3, 2023

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so faithfully and courageously in wars in which our
Nation's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
during peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
125th Anniversary of the formation of the Rough Riders, Teddy
Roosevelt's 1st United States Volunteer Calvary, and to pay tribute to
these soldiers for their courage, bravery, service and dedication to the
United States Army; and

WHEREAS, During this auspicious occasion on Saturday, June 3, 2023,
residents and visitors will learn about the Rough Riders through various
events such as demonstrations, saber performances by United States
Calvary Soldiers, interpretive performances, live music, mounted cowboy
shooting, and a historical encampment; and

WHEREAS, The Rough Riders was a nickname given to the 1st United
States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments for the
Spanish-American War and the only one to see combat; and

WHEREAS, The United States had gone to war in opposition to Spanish
colonial policies in Cuba, which was then torn by a rebellion; 1st
United States Volunteer Cavalry Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, a strong
advocate for the Cuban War of Independence, helped attract skilled
horsemen eager to see combat to the regiment; and

WHEREAS, Known as "Roosevelt's Rough Riders," they are best
remembered for their conduct during the Battle of San Juan Hill; several
days after the Battle, the Spanish fleet sailed from Cuba, and in only a
few weeks an armistice ending the fighting was signed; and

WHEREAS, Despite the brevity of their service, the Rough Riders
became legendary thanks to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt's writing his own
history of the regiment and the silent film reenactments made years
later; and

WHEREAS, Later, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President
of the United States of America; during his time in office, his
residence at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay became known as the "Summer
White House" and the focus of international attention; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the formation of the Rough Riders,
Teddy Roosevelt's 1st United States Volunteer Calvary on June 3, 2023;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joseph Saladino, Supervisor, Town of Oyster Bay.