Commending the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce upon the occasion of hosting its Military Appreciation event on May 21, 2026

Assembly Resolution No. 1426

BY: M. of A. Santabarbara

        COMMENDING  the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce
        upon  the   occasion   of   hosting   its   Military
        Appreciation event on May 21, 2026

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly recognize those organizations within the State of New  York
which have positively impacted their communities; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend  the  Capital  Region  Chamber  of  Commerce's  Unified Military
Affairs Council program  upon  the  occasion  of  hosting  its  Military
Appreciation event on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Albany, New York; and

  WHEREAS, The Unified Military Affairs Council program highlights the
importance  of  the  military  presence  in the Capital Region and helps
ensure its long-term viability and success; and

  WHEREAS, The Unified  Military  Affairs  Council  program  increases
public  knowledge  of  the  contributions  made by military units in the
Capital Region, all of which impact our  global,  national,  state,  and
regional security and economy; and

  WHEREAS, The Military Appreciation event will recognize and pay just
tribute  to  the men and women of the Capital Region who have served, or
who are serving, our Nation so valiantly and honorably; and

  WHEREAS, Stratton Air National Guard Base, located  in  Scotia,  New
York,  is  home to the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing;
and

  WHEREAS, The 109th Airlift Wing flies the world's only  ski-equipped
LC-130 "Skibirds," as well as traditional C-130 "Wheelbirds," in support
of Arctic and Antarctic operations; and

  WHEREAS, The New York Army National Guard is the fourth-largest Army
National Guard in the Nation; and

  WHEREAS, The New York Army National Guard traces its history back to
the origins of the militia system in colonial America; and

  WHEREAS, The headquarters of the New York Air National Guard and the
New York Army National Guard are located within the Division of Military
and Naval Affairs complex in Latham, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  The United States Army Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned
and operated manufacturing facility located in Watervliet, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Known as "America's Cannon Factory," the Watervliet Arsenal
is the Nation's oldest  continuously  operating  arsenal,  having  begun
manufacturing military hardware during the War of 1812; and

  WHEREAS,  Navy  Reserve  Center  Schenectady, located in Scotia, New
York, is one of 118 Navy Reserve Centers throughout the  United  States;
and

  WHEREAS,  The  mission  of  the Navy Reserve is to provide strategic
depth and deliver operational capabilities to the  Navy,  Marine  Corps,
and Joint Forces in times of peace and war; and

  WHEREAS,   The  United  States  Army  Albany  Recruiting  Battalion,
headquartered  at  the  Watervliet  Arsenal,  encompasses  approximately
38,760 square miles; and

  WHEREAS,   The   Albany   Recruiting   Battalion   includes  the  27
northeastern counties of New York,  the  five  westernmost  counties  of
Massachusetts,  and  the  states  of  Vermont  and  Connecticut,  and is
responsible for  the  Army's  recruiting  mission  in  Europe,  Northern
Africa, and the Middle East; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Albany  Recruiting  Battalion  operates 51 recruiting
stations in the continental United States and four  recruiting  stations
in Germany; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Capital  Region  is  honored  to  be  home  to  these
critically important military installations, as well as  the  proud  and
dedicated service members who carry out their respective missions; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom of this Legislative Body to salute the
Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors stationed within the Capital  Region,  and
to   honor  their  dedication  and  collective  contributions  to  their
communities and to the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commend  the  Capital  Region  Chamber  of  Commerce's  Unified Military
Affairs Council program  upon  the  occasion  of  hosting  its  Military
Appreciation event on May 21, 2026; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Capital Region  Chamber  of  Commerce;  the  Adjutant
General  of  the State of New York; the Commanding Officers of the 109th
Airlift Wing, the  United  States  Army  Watervliet  Arsenal,  and  Navy
Reserve  Center Schenectady; the Commanding Officer of the United States
Army  Albany  Recruiting  Battalion;  and  the   Members   of   Congress
representing the Capital Region of the State of New York.