Senate Resolution No. 1331
BY: Senator GAUGHRAN
COMMEMORATING the 125th Commissioning of the
Huntington Yacht Club on May 4, 2019
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional recreational institutions; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 125th Commissioning of the Huntington Yacht Club, to be
celebrated at an event on Saturday, May 4, 2019; and
WHEREAS, The Huntington Yacht Club (HYC) is a traditional, family
yacht club committed to the encouragement and promotion of yachting and
other recreational and social activities for its members and their
families; and
WHEREAS, On September 15, 1894, HYC was organized to promote social
intercourse, create an interest in yachting and other aquatic sports,
and provide a suitable and convenient Clubhouse, anchorage and harbor or
basin for the use of its members; and
WHEREAS, By 1906, the Club consisted of many prominent members and
"excellent sailing and powerboats moored in the cove that formed our
anchorage."; and
WHEREAS, In the 1920s, several younger Club members created the
Suicide Class of small-boat racing, and by 1930, the widespread
popularity of it brought national prominence to HYC; during this time,
the Clubhouse was expanded and membership increased; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, many members joined the Armed Forces
or the United States Coast Guard Reserves and Coast Guard Auxiliary; the
first Coast Guard Flotilla in the area, Flotilla 12-04 included over 30%
of HYC membership, some of whom donated their boats to the Coast Guard
for patrol work; and
WHEREAS, On November 9, 1959, a fire destroyed the Clubhouse and
most of the Club's archives; after extensive repairs, the new facility
was ready by June 1, 1960, and its Commissioning was attended by 250
people; and
WHEREAS, There was a great deal of expansion during the 1960s; a
marina was added, a swimming pool was constructed, new membership
categories were created, and racing and social activities were held year
round; and
WHEREAS, Women have always been actively involved in various HYC
activities such as Frostbite races, the Skipper Moore Ladies Races, and
more recently, the Women's Spirit Race; in 1967, the Ladies Auxiliary
was formed to promote ladies' social activities; since then, the
Auxiliary has become a major HYC entity, raising substantial funds for
Club improvements and charitable causes; and
WHEREAS, During the 1980s and 1990s, HYC continued to grow; the
Marina was expanded to hold over 90 boats, and major renovations were
made to the Clubhouse, docks, pool areas, and snack bar; under the helm
of the next few administrations, the North Dock was rebuilt with
upgraded electrical service to accommodate larger boats; land,
beachfront, and associated riparian rights of the property were
purchased on its northern border; the Marina maintenance dredging
project was completed; and an Endowment Fund was created for the future
financial security of HYC; and
WHEREAS, In 2006 and 2007, the Club underwent major exterior and
interior work; in January of 2008, a flood caused by a frozen pipe
nearly destroyed the interior of the Clubhouse, however, repairs were
completed in time to reopen the Club for the Change of Watch in
February; and
WHEREAS, Through the next few years, there were many more major
improvements; on October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy wrought great havoc
to HYC, causing major power outages, flooding and severe damage to the
lower floor of the building, the workshop and pool buildings, as well as
the docks and parking lot; fortunately, members and employees worked
together to make repairs and restorations, and by 2013 they were
completed; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, HYC has offered numerous social and
official events including summer cruises, musical extravaganzas, Karaoke
Nights, Social Sunday, Bluefish Tournament, Mother Daughter Sunday
Brunch, and the Men's Dinner Evening; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to its community and the environment, HYC is
actively in a variety of environmental projects to protect the area's
waters and shorelines; the Club's junior sailing and swim programs are
open to young people from the community, and Division 22 and Flotilla
22-01 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary hold meetings and
conduct public education classes there; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, HYC hosted the Cabot 500 Race as part of a
town-wide celebration of the 500th year of Cabot's discovery of
Newfoundland, and in 2002, members participated in Sail America to
assist the families of victims of the terrorists attacks of September
11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, HYC presented a new trophy, the HYC Annual Charity
Cup to the overall winner of the HYC Charity Race which has benefited
the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation; seven years later,
the Race raised substantial funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Fund; and
WHEREAS, From 2008-2012, the Ladies Auxiliary had made generous
donations to the Family Service League, Huntington Hospital Cardiac
Unit, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Memorial Hospital in Commack, New York, and
to other hospital services, as well as other charities; the Auxiliary
also holds food, toy and clothing drives for the poor, and collects
gifts for orphaned children; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, HYC conducted its sixth Veterans' Appreciation
Day, welcoming over 200 veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, Through the tireless and dedicated efforts of many, HYC
members continue to enjoy the challenges and joys of the sea and the
relaxing camaraderie among friends when they return to home port; and
WHEREAS, The rich history of the Huntington Yacht Club has formed it
into the prominent organization it is today; in so effectively carrying
out its mission, the Club exemplifies a spirit of community pride, and
demonstrates the values of generosity, cooperative effort and enduring
fellowship; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Commissioning of the Huntington Yacht Club; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Huntington Yacht Club.
