Assembly Resolution No. 170

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMEMORATING the Bicentennial Anniversary of the
opening of the Champlain Canal

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
events of historical significance which have had a profound effect on
the development of our great Empire State and our Nation as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the opening of the Champlain
Canal; and

WHEREAS, The Champlain Canal is a historically significant waterway
advocated for by General Philip Schuyler, a general in the American
Revolution and prominent New York statesman; as president of the Western
and Northern Inland Lock Company, he reported the results of his
company's preliminary surveys to the New York State Legislature and
suggested the commercial value a canal system would create; and

WHEREAS, The construction of the Champlain Canal began in 1817, the
same time as the construction of the Erie Canal; many of the workers who
helped build the Champlain and Erie canals were Irish immigrants; and

WHEREAS, The Fort Edward to Lake Champlain section of the canal was
opened in 1819, with the main section of the canal, which connects the
Hudson River to Lake Champlain, opening for navigation on September 10,
1823, the same day as the larger Erie Canal to which it is connected in
Waterford, New York; and

WHEREAS, During this time, the Champlain Canal also connected the
Chambly Canal in Quebec, Canada to the Saint Lawrence River, and
thereafter to the North Atlantic Ocean; as canals developed in America,
settlers were attracted to nearby communities because of the canals'
ability to provide access to markets; and

WHEREAS, The completion of the Champlain Canal created a physical
and commercial connection between Saratoga (Schuylerville) and the U.S.
Atlantic coast, as well as the nation's Midwest and West, which had
impacts far beyond its intended effects; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the canal formed the first truly effective
means of inland interstate commerce, directly enabling the growth of
Schuylerville, Midwestern agriculture, and the emergence of New York
City and New York State as national and international economic powers;
and

WHEREAS, A part of the New York State Canal System, this
extraordinary canal can best be described as a path through history;
prior to our country's independence, British, French and Americans all
traveled north and south through this stretch of the region; in
addition, it was instrumental in the establishment of Forts Ticonderoga
and Edward; and

WHEREAS, Today, stretching 64 miles between the Hudson River and
Lake Champlain, the Champlain Canal stands as one of the earliest and
most significant public works projects in the history of the United
States; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
those distinct unique waterways throughout the State of New York such as
the Champlain Canal which provide transportation opportunities for its
residents and have become a part of the history of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the opening of the Champlain
Canal; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New York State Canal Corporation.