LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the United
Service Organizations (USO)

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention to
those historic organizations which serve as lasting reminders of our
rich and unique past; 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 75th Anniversary of the USO; and
WHEREAS, For nearly 75 years, the USO has been the nation's leading
organization to serve the men and women in the United States military,
and their families, throughout their time in uniform; and
WHEREAS, From the moment the service member joins, through their
assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their commu-
nities, the USO is always by their side; and
WHEREAS, In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to unite
several service associations into one organization to lift the morale of
our military and support on the home front; the entities: the Salvation
Army, Young Men's Christian Association, Young Women's Christian Associ-
ation, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid
Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board became the United
Service Organizations (USO); and
WHEREAS, Today, the USO has continued to support our nation's military
and their families for over seven decades as they defend our country and
our freedom; their credo is to be always by their side; and
WHEREAS, The reach of the USO's centers extends to countries on every
continent except Antarctica, and is operated by thousands of staff and
volunteers; and
WHEREAS, The USO, a nonprofit organization, counts on celebrities to
cheer the troops but also the organization addresses the changing needs
of service members and their families, such as hiring motivational
speakers to help military children build self-confidence and by offering
career counseling for veterans; and
WHEREAS, In honor of its 75th Anniversary, the USO has named an Anni-
versary Honorary Committee, co-chaired by former Presidents George W.
Bush and Bill Clinton, and including Condoleezza Rice; and
WHEREAS, There are four USO centers in New York State, and they are:
USO Douglas MacArthur Center located in the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in Manhattan; the USO General Colin L. Powell Center located at Fort
Hamilton Army Post in Brooklyn; the USO T5/JFK airport located in Jamai-
ca, New York; and the USO Fort Drum located at the Fort Drum military
installation in Watertown, New York; and
WHEREAS, USO 5k Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016,
starting at Pier 24 Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, The USO is a living tribute to our Nation's men and women who
serve in the United States Armed Forces, both home and abroad; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
important places and historic events such as the 75th Anniversary of the
establishment of the United Service Organizations (USO) and its continu-
ing mission to help those who are serving in the United States military
both home and deployed overseas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Service Organizations
(USO), and to honor all those who staff and volunteer at the USO's
centers around the world; and be it further
RESOLVED That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be trans-
mitted to the USO located in Manhattan.