- Filed (End of Session)
History
Res. No. 79
Resolution in support of the creation and presentation of a ticker-tape parade to honor the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
By Council Members Williams, Ulrich, Gentile and Vallone
Whereas, Ticker-tape parades evolved from New York City's long history of public celebrations; and
Whereas, Since early American military times, soldiers have displayed their colors in ceremonial reviews; and
Whereas, Following the American Revolution, parades commemorated events of national importance such as Evacuation Day and Independence Day; and
Whereas, October 29, 1886 marked the first ticker-tape parade in New York City, when exuberant office workers threw their ticker-tape into the streets as an unplanned celebration of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty; and
Whereas, Although the Iraq War ended on December 31, 2011, only St. Louis has held a "Welcome Home Our Heroes" parade to date with an estimated attendance of 100,000 people; and
Whereas, According to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, roughly 2.6 million troops have been deployed since October 2001 to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with approximately 85,000 veterans from these conflicts in New York State; and
Whereas, New York City's ticker-tape parades down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan have long been part of American culture; and
Whereas, Sports champions and near champions, celebrities, foreign dignitaries and veterans of wars and conflicts in World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam and the first Gulf War, have all marched down Broadway to a cheering crowd and skies full of ticker-tape, confetti, paper streams and the like; and
Whereas, The valor and sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Iraq and Afghanistan cannot and should not be ignored; and
Whereas, A ticker-tape parade should serve as a dignified tribute to the many who sacrificed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as a time and place for the public to gather in demonstration of our gratitude to our servicemen and servicewomen; and
Whereas, New Yorkers have traditionally rallied around our heroes and our veterans are no less deserving than others for this fitting token of our appreciation; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York supports the creation and presentation of a ticker-tape parade to honor the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
PD 1/29/14
Res. No. 1301/2013
LS#450/2014