LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the opening
of the 1964 World's Fair in Queens' Flushing Meadows Park

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 events
of significance which exemplify the history and development of the State
of New York; 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 50th Anniversary of the opening of the 1964 World's Fair held
in Flushing Meadows Park; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this joyous milestone, the World's Fair Anniver-
sary Committee and the New York City Parks Department will be hosting
the World's Fair Anniversary Festival on Sunday, May 18, 2014; the event
will feature World's Fair memorabilia; tours of Fair buildings, sculp-
tures and structures; and international food, music and dance, capped
with a live concert and fireworks; and
WHEREAS, On April 22, 1964, the 1964 World's Fair opened, and the eyes
of the world were on Queens, New York, and what is now Flushing Meadows
Corona Park; it was the start of an exciting two-year run that intro-
duced Americans to the Space Age, brought the cultures of the globe to
Queens, and presented the world visions of a future brimming with possi-
bilities; and
WHEREAS, The 1964 World's Fair contained more than 150 international
and corporate pavilions, including the New York State Pavilion, which
consisted of the Tent of Tomorrow, three Observation Towers, the tallest
of which perched 226 feet above the fairground, and the Theaterama,
which is now the Queens Theatre; and
WHEREAS, The Tent of Tomorrow was an open exhibition space, highlight-
ing New York State attractions and hosting performances; the Tent's
floor was designed as the world's largest map, depicting the entire
State of New York in terrazzo paving with 567 panels, each weighing 400
pounds; and
WHEREAS, Fifty years later, New York State Pavilion, one of the most
iconic remnants of the 1964 World's Fair, has been named as one of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation "National Treasures"; the
National Treasures program recognizes historically, culturally and
architecturally important sites to raise awareness and funding for their
preservation, and the Pavilion is one of only 44 sites in the country to
bear this designation; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, conservationists from the University of Pennsylva-
nia, working with the NYC Parks, began a multi-year effort to preserve
the map and restore some of its panels; today, an all-out effort to
restore and preserve the New York State Pavilion is underway, with
several organizations, including the New York State Pavilion Paint
Project, People for the Pavilion, the Queens Historical Society, the New
York Landmarks Conservancy, as well as the New York City Department of
Parks, inspiring citywide conversations about its future; and
WHEREAS, The 1964 World's Fair has left an indelible imprint on the
landscape and history of New York; the New York State Pavilion, as well
as the Unisphere, a 12-story high, spherical stainless steel represen-
tation of the Earth that has become the borough of Queens' most recogni-
zable symbol, have made Flushing Meadows Corona Park an important
cultural destination; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the 1964 World's Fair rich legacy and
enduring contribution to the heritage of the State of New York, it is
the intent of this Legislative Body to join in the celebration so that
present and future generations may come to appreciate the unique signif-
icance which its history plays in the progression of our State and
Nation's evolution; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the 1964 World's Fair
in Queens' Flushing Meadows Corona Park; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the World's Fair Anniversary Committee.