LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Fort
Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter or "Safe Haven", in Oswego, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality of
life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by its
exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; these
institutions give positive definition to the profile and disposition of
the communities of the State of New York and profoundly strengthen our
society with their commitment; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 70th Anniversary of the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter
in Oswego, New York; and
WHEREAS, Also known as "Safe Haven", the Fort Ontario Emergency Refu-
gee Shelter was established in Oswego, New York in August of 1944, by
order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was the first and only
refugee center established in the United States during World War II; and
WHEREAS, 982 refugees from war torn Europe were placed in an intern-
ment camp at Fort Ontario to await the outcome of the Second World War;
the majority of these refugees were Jewish and recently liberated from
the persecutions of Nazism in central Europe; and
WHEREAS, In January of 1946, the Refugee Center was opened and the
refugees freed; and
WHEREAS, The Refugee Center is now a museum and education center dedi-
cated to keeping alive the stories of the 982 refugees housed at the
Fort Ontario Refugee Shelter from August 1944 until January 1946; and
WHEREAS, The Fort Ontario Refugee Shelter will commemorate its 70th
Anniversary from June 19-21, 2014, with a Jewish Motorcycle Alliance
"Ride to Remember" to support and promote Holocaust education and aware-
ness, as well as with many other activities to highlight this unique
museum; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body that when an organ-
ization of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our atten-
tion, it should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee
Shelter in Oswego, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Fort Ontario Refugee Shelter.