LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 2nd Annual Bronx Day in Albany
celebration upon the occasion of marking the Centennial of the incorpo-
ration of Bronx County

WHEREAS, Each and every city, town, village, and hamlet within its
borders proudly resonates with the rich and noble history of the State
of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
events which foster civic pride and highlight the contributions of the
communities which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State to
the progression and development of our society; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 2nd Annual Bronx Day in Albany celebration upon the occasion
of marking the Centennial of the incorporation of Bronx County; this
festive affair will take place on Monday, April 28, 2014, at The Egg in
Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the annual Bronx Day in Albany celebration is
to promote Bronx pride, and allow Bronxites to share their vision for
the future of their borough, as well as introduce their products and
services; 2014 celebration activities include tours of the Capitol; a
small business forum for Bronx businesses; a luncheon; and a "Taste of
the Bronx" evening reception featuring music from local Bronx bands, and
a showcase of the best food of the borough; and
WHEREAS, The Bronx was incorporated in 1914, the last of New York
State's 62 counties to be established; however, this diverse munici-
pality has played a noteworthy role in the evolution of New York from
its early beginnings; and
WHEREAS, Forty-two square miles in size, and the only section of New
York City on the mainland, The Bronx is named in memory of the area's
first European settler, Jonas Bronck; its earliest settlement was in
1639 along the Harlem River in what is now Mott Haven; and
WHEREAS, The Bronx was originally part of Westchester County and, in
1841, the New York and Harlem Railroad began regular commuter service
between The Bronx and Manhattan; by 1895, the area had become a part of
New York City; and
WHEREAS, At the turn of the century, the quiet suburban streets and
farms of The Bronx began to yield to rapidly expanding factories and
urban neighborhoods; in 1914, its main thoroughfare, the Grand Conc-
ourse, was completed and, by the 1920s, the Fordham Road-Grand Concourse
intersection was a great commercial nexus and a center of tree-lined
avenues, with luxurious homes and apartment buildings designed in the
latest Art Deco and modernist styles; and
WHEREAS, Over the last decade of the 19th century and the first quar-
ter of the 20th century, many of the great landmarks which continue to
draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to The Bronx every year were
developed, including the Bronx Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the
world; the beautiful park-like New York Botanical Garden; the Hall of
Fame for Great Americans at Bronx Community College (the former campus
of New York University); and Yankee Stadium; and
WHEREAS, By the late 2000s, The Bronx's bridges, highways, and rail-
roads were more heavily traveled than those of any other part of the
United States, and it is the home of twelve colleges and universities,
including Fordham University; the Maritime College of the State Univer-
sity of New York; and three branches of the City University of New York,
Lehman College, Bronx Community College, and Hostos Community College;

almost 24 percent of the land area is parkland, including Pelham Bay
Park which, at 2,772 acres, is the largest park in the city; and
WHEREAS, With a population of more than 1.4 million people, The Bronx
is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse communities in the
United States, and its vibrant neighborhoods, industrious civic groups
and robust small business sector have long provided both a haven and a
stepping stone for hard-working immigrants from all over the globe; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, Bronx County continues its commitment to enhancing the qual-
ity of life of its residents, ensuring a progressive business, institu-
tional and educational climate, providing essential services, and
retaining the cultural vitality and environment that make it a positive
place in which to live, work and visit; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 2nd Annual Bronx Day in Albany celebration upon the
occasion of marking the Centennial of the incorporation of Bronx County,
in proud recognition of the significance of its continuing role in the
life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the Bronx County Historical
Society.