French and Indian War Commission enacted
Governor Pataki signs Maziarz bill into law

Governor George E. Pataki has signed into law legislation creating the New York State French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission to promote the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War in New York, which will take place between the years 2005 and 2010. The bill was sponsored by State Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C, North Tonawanda).

"Our history is an irreplaceable resource, and this special anniversary is an ideal time to draw attention to the French and Indian War and its legacy," said Senator Maziarz, who is chairman of the Senate Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee and the bill's prime sponsor. "Not only will the commission help promote a greater understanding of the conflict, it will also help bring a significant amount of tourism dollars into our state by promoting a series of reenactment events."

The primary aim of the commission will be to plan and execute an organized series of French and Indian War reenactment tourism events, specifically highlighting the Lake George/Fort George area in 2005; Fort Bull/Fort Stanwix and Fort Ontario/Oswego in 2006; Fort William Henry/Lake George in 2007; Fort Carillon/Ticonderoga in 2008; Fort Niagara in 2009; and Fort La Presentation/Fort Levis in 2010.

The nineteen-member commission will be composed of the following: The Commissioner of Ecomomic Development or a representative (chair); the Commissioner of the Education Department or a representative; the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; the executive director of the New York Independence Trail; the executive director of the Seaway Trail; the executive director of Old Fort Niagara; the executive director of Fort La Presentation; the executive director of Fort Ticonderoga; and eleven members of the French and Indian War reenactment community. Of this last group, three will be appointed by the Governor, three by the Speaker of the Assembly, three by Senate Majority Leader, one by the Assembly Minority Leader, and one by the Senate Minority Leader.

The commission will exist through 2010.