LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 22, 2016, as 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, Fort Drum is located in Jefferson County, in Northern New York,
and is the largest military installation in the Northeastern United
States; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum is named for Lieutenant General Hugh Drum, a deco-
rated national hero, former commander of First Army, and an early leader
of the State's own volunteer militia, the New York Guard; and
WHEREAS, For more than 30 years, Fort Drum has been home to the United
States Army's storied 10th Mountain Division; and
WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division includes the Army's most deployed
combat units, serving with honor, distinction and great sacrifice as a
part of Operation Enduring Freedom and other actions central to our
Nation's response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Elements of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in
New York State, were first to be deployed in the aftermath of those
attacks and, 13 years later, the last units to return from combat duty,
so for the first time in more than a decade, nearly all of Fort Drum's
soldiers and officers are back at home in New York State; and
WHEREAS, 323 brave men and women who were members of the 10th Mountain
Division and based at Fort Drum gave their lives in the cause of defeat-
ing global terrorism; and
WHEREAS, The distinguished service of units posted to Fort Drum has
been celebrated by Presidents, members of Congress, and members of the
international community; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its vital role in our Nation's defense, Fort
Drum is the largest single-site employer in the State of New York, and
an economic engine for the State and region, with a direct impact of
more than $1.2 billion in 2014, and more than $20 billion since the
reactivation of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum; and
WHEREAS, The 18,000 soldiers and officers of Fort Drum and their fami-
lies are an integral part of the community, and are welcomed as neigh-
bors, co-workers, classmates, friends and fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to salute the
soldiers and officers of the 10th Mountain Division, to honor their
dedication to preserving our freedom and our Nation, and to recognize
their individual and collective contributions to our communities and to
New York State; and
WHEREAS, For the past five years, 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum
Day has served to educate members of this Legislative Body about the
sacrifices made by the brave men and women of our armed forces, as well
as the importance of the installation to our Nation's defense and New
York's economy; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum has and will continue to play an important and
essential role in ensuring our Nation's military readiness to defend our
State and Nation against hostility and threats to our safety and
national security; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 22, 2016, as 10th
Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Brigadier General Paul Bontrager, Commanding General of Fort
Drum.