Proclamation of Commemoratives Days

PROCLAMATION

A DECLARATION OF THE BOROUGH OF ROCKAWAY HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

"COMMEMORATIVE DAYS"

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Rockaway and its citizens believe that a vibrant community includes education, enrichment, and pride in the history of that community; and

WHEREAS, on March 28, 2015, a Saturday, the Borough of Rockaway Historical Committee, a Borough entity, voted that henceforth "Commemorative Days" be annually celebrated as highpoints in the Borough’s history for its citizens' awareness, education and pride; and

WHEREAS, on May 12, 1998, Borough of Rockaway Historical Committee Inaugural Day, a band of good "Rockaway Borough" citizens' met forming the Committee with purposes of promoting and preserving our community history; and

WHEREAS, on May 25, 2009, Borough of Rockaway Museum Day, our Museum publicly opened in the former Donatoni historic sawmill office located at the present recreational center with much fanfare; and

WHEREAS, on May 28, 2004, Veterans Monument Day, the dedication of the Veterans Towers built at the Borough gazebo listing exclusively Borough of Rockaway veterans serving all wars. Also dedicated were the ongoing commemorative bricks memorializing various veterans, family members, individuals and or businesses making a common walkway surrounding the monuments; and

WHEREAS, on May 30, 1892, Civil War Monument Day, the Soldiers Association of the Grand Army of the Republic (founded in 1869) dedicated at the First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway Cemetery (Church Street) the Civil War Monument to those Rockawayites who and died preserving the Union; and

WHEREAS, on July 19, 1894, Borough of Rockaway Independence Day, Morford B. Strait, Mayor and councilmen William Boyd, George H. Foster, Jacob P. Stickle, Fred W. Flagge and Harry W. Mutecher met in the parlor of Riggott's Hotel (Rockaway Hotel) Thursday evening and approved the Borough of Rockaway Declaration of Independence by officially organizing as an incorporated and separate municipality! The date on the Great Seal of the Borough of Rockaway is July 20, 1894 the first official business day.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Rockaway hereby recognize these "Commemorative Days" and encourage its citizens to be active with, educate themselves, read about and support preserving the Borough of Rockaway history.

Engaging in these activities promotes literacy, supports intergenerational and multicultural discussions and fosters a sense of community by bringing our citizens together.

The Mayor and Council of the Borough hereby extend a heartfelt Thank You to the Borough of Rockaway Historical Committee for advocating citizenship and special citizens' pride for living in the Borough of Rockaway and these United States.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Borough of Rockaway to be affixed this 14th day of May, 2015.

Signed this 14th day of May, 2015.

______________________________

Mayor Russell Greuter

 
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