STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, the greatness of America is found in its sons and daughters who willingly place themselves in harm’s way to defend this Nation and, throughout our history, men and women of the U.S. armed forces have stepped forth with selfless devotion to protect the freedoms enjoyed by people in the United States and those in other countries, and this meaningful occasion – The National Moment of Remembrance – asks all New Yorkers to pause in solemn tribute to past and present veterans and with gratitude for the extraordinary sacrifices they made in fighting nobly to preserve our Nation’s liberty; and

Whereas, while Memorial Day began in 1868 as an occasion for placing flowers on the graves of those who died in the Civil War, it since has become an occasion to remember the contributions of all Americans who have died for this country in conflicts from the time of the Revolutionary War to the present; and

Whereas, these sacrifices are significant to both present and future generations of Americans, and we take the opportunity to commemorate all who answer the call to duty in order to preserve our beloved democracy, never forgetting those who lost their own lives in doing so, as it is an extraordinary individual who gives their life for their country; and

Whereas, the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day was formally established by an act of Congress to encourage and remind Americans of the meaning of this holiday and its original purpose – to honor fellow citizens who died in service to the United States; and

Whereas, on December 28, 2000, Public Law 106-579, known as “The Remembrance Act” created the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance to implement this gesture of national unity; and

Whereas, the National Moment of Remembrance connects us as Americans in a shared expression of sincere gratitude, tribute, and honor to this Nation’s fallen heroes of war and most noble of citizens; and

Whereas, all citizens are encouraged to observe a statewide Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day by pausing at 3 p.m. in a time of reflection and recommitment to give back to our country in memory of those who gave so much to us;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim 3 p.m. on May 25, 2009 as a

MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE

spent in humble reflection on the lives and legacy of those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in securing the blessings of our liberty.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this eighteenth day of May in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor

Lawrence Schwartz
Secretary to the Governor