NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5066C
SPONSOR: Jacobson TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to rededicating
the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson bridge to Franklin and Eleanor
Roosevelt
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To honor both President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor
Roosevelt by rededicating the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson,
Bridge to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 526-c of the Public Authorities Law by provid-
ing that the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge shall be dedi-
cated to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Section 2 Provides that the chairperson of the NYS Bridge Authority
shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of adequate
signage within such time and manner as they shall deem appropriate.
Furthermore, provides that this designation shall be of a ceremonial
nature to avoid confusion and to limit any possible disruption of
commerce.
Section 3 sets forth the effective date which is immediately.
JUSTIFICATION:
Few couples have left as an enduring mark on American History as Presi-
dent Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, Prior to
his election as President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roose-
velt, a Hyde Park native, served as a member of the New York State
Senate, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Governor of New York State.
Widely acknowledged as one of the most important figures of the 20'11
Century, Roosevelt served as President from 1933 up until his death in
1945, During his nearly'four terms in office, President Roosevelt led
the United States out of the Great Depression and to victory in World
War II.
A trailblazer for women in politics, Eleanor transformed the role of
First Lady by using it as a platform for social activism. At a time both
issues were unpopular, Eleanor agitated for equal rights for women and
African Americans. She also wrote a daily newspaper column and, while
serving as a delegate to the United Nations, oversaw the creation and
passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As Governor,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the parade opening the Mid-Hudson Bridge
with Eleanor by his side. The bridge was later renamed as the Franklin
Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge.
Despite Eleanor's many achievements, however, no American landmark is
named after both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, so it is only apt that
the Mid-Hudson Bridge be renamed to honor the celebrated couple's many
contributions and highlight their important role in the rich history of
New York's Mid-Hudson region.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-2020: S7836 - Referred to Senate Transportation Committee
2021-2022: A10546 - Referred to Assembly Corporations, Authorities and
Commissions S3938 - Referred to Senate Transportation Committee
2023-2024: A2340 Referred to Assembly Corporations, Authorities and
Commissions S4669 - Passed Senate
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5066--C
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 11, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JACOBSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee -- recommitted to the Committee on Corporations,
Authorities and Commissions in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2
-- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended
and recommitted to said committee -- recommitted to the Committee on
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions in accordance with Assembly
Rule 3, sec. 2 -- again reported from said committee with amendments,
ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to rededicating
the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson bridge to Franklin and Elea-
nor Roosevelt
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new
2 section 526-c to read as follows:
3 § 526-c. Ceremonial designation of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-
4 Hudson bridge. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson bridge, as
5 defined in subdivision five of section five hundred twenty-six of this
6 title, shall be dedicated to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
7 § 2. The chairperson of the New York State Bridge Authority shall
8 provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the
9 state highway system as dedicated pursuant to section one of this act,
10 provided that such signage shall state "Bridge Dedicated to Franklin and
11 Eleanor Roosevelt". However, to avoid confusion and to limit any possi-
12 ble disruption of commerce, the dedication called for pursuant to
13 section one of this act shall be one of ceremonial nature and the offi-
14 cial name of such bridge shall not be changed as a result of this act.
15 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03351-07-6
