GOVERNOR PATERSON KICKS OFF HUDSON RIVER DAY FLOTILLA

Historic Ships to Take Eight-Day Journey in Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Hudson River

Singer Pete Seeger Awarded Medal of Discovery for Hudson River Stewardship

Governor David A. Paterson tonight will kick-off the Hudson River Day Flotilla at a “blessing of the fleet” ceremony in New York Harbor. The Great River Day Flotilla is an eight-day journey up the Hudson River featuring historic and modern boats, and is a key part of New York State’s Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial commemorative events. Tonight’s event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Battery Park in Lower Manhattan.

“The 1609 voyage of Henry Hudson opened a route that became America’s lifeblood and brought about a flood of art, culture and commerce that changed the world,” said Governor Paterson. “This 400th anniversary is a proud moment in New York State’s history. The River Day Flotilla celebrates this anniversary and serves as a floating museum during the journey, providing historical and educational programs at many stops along the way.”

“The anniversary of the Hudson River is a celebration of New York’s rich history of discovery and innovation,” said First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson, the honorary chair of the Quadricentennial celebration. “The Hudson River has been a cornerstone of New York’s economy, and is as much a piece of our future as it is our history. I am proud that we are utilizing the occasion to focus attention on the most important legacy of all -- environmental and economic sustainability starting with the next 100 years.”

Governor Paterson also announced the awarding of the Quadricentennial Hudson River Medal of Discovery to legendary folksinger Pete Seeger for his lifetime of stewardship of the Hudson. Seeger was among the founders of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc., known for its sailing vessel, the sloop Clearwater – which is among the historic ships in the flotilla – and for its annual music and environmental festival, the Great Hudson River Revival. Seeger, who turned 90 earlier this year, has been a long-time resident of Dutchess County.

“Through his music and activism, Pete Seeger has become of one the most recognized champions of the Hudson River of the last century,” said Governor Paterson. “In this Quadricentennial year, it’s fitting to present Pete with this sign of our appreciation for his role in reviving one of America’s most famous and most important waterways.”

HFCQ Commission Chair Joan Kaplan Davidson said: “The Commission marvels at -- and salutes! -- all the resourceful river people who have brought us this marvelous day.”

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said: “It was here, 400 years ago and a full decade before the Mayflower landed in Massachusetts, that Henry Hudson sailed through this passage and began a story of discovery, unimaginable challenges and triumphs. Today, we kick off a celebration that reminds us that the Hudson River remains New York’s lifeblood. The River Day Flotilla will bring together all of the harbor and river communities in celebration of the Hudson, its rich history, and the central role that it continues to play in our lives.”

Consul General of the Netherlands Hugo Gajus Scheltema said: “For the Dutch, River Day is a wonderful moment in this year’s celebrations, with the participation of the recently rebuilt 17th century yacht ‘Onrust’ as well as the ‘Half Moon’ replica, which will retrace Henry Hudson’s voyage to Albany together with many other sailing ships. We are appreciative of what New York City and State are contributing to this year in which we celebrate, through the anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage, 400 years of friendship between the Netherlands and the United States.”

This year, New York honors the 400th anniversaries of the voyage of Captain Henry Hudson, who led (for the Dutch) the first European expedition to sail up the river that now bears his name, as well as the voyage of Samuel de Champlain, the first to discover the namesake lake. This year also marks the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s maiden steamboat journey up the Hudson River. Communities from New York to the Canadian border are preparing events and projects to highlight New York’s rich history of exploration and discovery.

The Great River Day Flotilla is one of the signature events of the commemoration. The historic “flagships” are the Clearwater, the Half Moon (a replica of Henry Hudson’s 1609 vessel), the OnRust (a replica of a 17th Century Dutch yacht), the sloop Woody Guthrie, the Mystic Whaler, the Governor Cleveland (tugboat) and the John J. Harvey (fire boat). Along the way, they will be joined by a U.S. Coast Guard escort, an antique airplane escort and numerous modern day boats.

The voyage sets sail at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 6, from the Statue of Liberty. The first day will conclude in the Tarrytown/Nyack area of the river, and will feature a cannon welcome and fireworks. The flotilla will move upriver each day, culminating in Albany on Saturday, June 13. The ships will depart tomorrow morning, and the flotilla can be viewed from Battery Park at 9 a.m.

The complete schedule of events is available at: http://www.exploreny400.com/riverday.aspx