Honoring 200 Years of Service by United States Army Garrison Fort Hamilton

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Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the bicentennial anniversary of United States Army Garrison Fort Hamilton, a historic institution in my district that has served our Nation with distinction for 200 years and remains an enduring symbol of patriotism, military readiness, and public service. The grounds of Fort Hamilton hold a profound connection to the founding of our Nation. During the American Revolutionary War, the site served as a strategic defense position overlooking the Narrows. On July 4, 1776, an American battery located there, then known as the Narrows Fort, fired upon the British warship HMS Asia in defense of New York Harbor. Just weeks later, British forces landed at Gravesend Beach and Denyse's Wharf, on what is now the footprint of Fort Hamilton, launching the campaign that culminated in the Battle of Brooklyn, the first major battle fought after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the largest troop engagement of the Revolutionary War. Recognizing the strategic importance of the location, the United States Government laid the cornerstone for Fort Hamilton on June 11, 1825. Named in honor of Alexander Hamilton, our Nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, and designed by renowned military engineer Simon Bernard, the fort was completed in 1831. Today, it stands as the fourth-oldest active military installation in the United States. For two centuries, Fort Hamilton has faithfully served our Nation. During the Civil War, it functioned as a critical Union fortification and training center. In both World War I and World War II, the installation played a vital role as an embarkation and separation center for American service members deploying overseas and returning home. In recognition of its historical significance, Fort Hamilton was designated a Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Its rich legacy is preserved through the Harbor Defense Museum, the only Army museum in New York City, which safeguards and showcases artifacts spanning from the American Revolution through World War II. Today, Fort Hamilton remains the only active-duty military installation in New York City. It provides critical operational, logistical, and community support to more than 50,000 veterans, retirees, active-duty service members, and their families. The installation has repeatedly answered the call to support civil authorities during times of crisis, including following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during Hurricane Sandy, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The year 2025 marked Fort Hamilton's 200th anniversary--a remarkable milestone that coincides with the United States Army's 250th birthday and serves as a bridge to our Nation's semiquincentennial in 2026. This celebration offers an opportunity to reflect upon the generation of soldiers, civilian employees, veterans, and military families whose dedication and sacrifice have strengthened both our local communities and our country. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring United States Army Garrison Fort Hamilton for 200 years of unwavering service to New York and the United States of America. May its proud legacy continue for generations to come.

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