Albany, NY - September 30, 2013 -  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today joins all New Yorkers in wishing a happy 70th birthday to the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. After recognizing the need to standardize training aboard vessels, Congress passed the landmark Merchant Marine Act in 1936, and two years later, the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was established. The Merchant Marine Academy's campus was dedicated on September 30, 1943. A message from President Franklin D. Roosevelt read “the Academy serves the Merchant Marine as West Point serves the Army and Annapolis serves the Navy.”

“Today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and recognize the invaluable contributions of the Merchant Marine Cadet Corps,” Governor Cuomo said. “Members of the Merchant Marines have served New York and the United States both in foreign military conflicts and domestic emergency situations, and we are grateful for their service.”

Graduates of the Merchant Marine Academy have participated in every war and conflict since World War II. They were instrumental in providing support after 9/11 by assisting in the evacuation of civilians as well as the transportation of first responders and supplies to and from Ground Zero.

Today, graduates may elect to fulfill their service obligation by working as licensed officers on U.S. flagged merchant vessels, as civilians in the maritime industry, or as active duty officers in any branch of the armed forces of the United States. New York is home to two of the five Uniformed Service Academies.