Senate honors Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division; commander asks for state support on microreactors, health care and services
May 04, 2026 | 2026 Legislature NY, New York
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The New York State Senate adopted Resolution 17-13 acknowledging Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division and welcomed a leadership delegation to Albany. Major General Scott Newman, commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, thanked members for their support, described current deployments and outlined several areas where he asked for continued state advocacy and partnership.
Newman highlighted the division 's global operations and stressed Fort Drum 's importance to regional readiness and the North Country economy. He urged lawmakers to support initiatives including Operation Janus, a program to evaluate microreactors for energy resiliency at installations; stronger fiscal footing for the Nexstar Health Alliance that serves soldiers and families; and re-establishing a DMV service location at Fort Drum to help frequently transient service members and families.
"Continue your advocacy and support of initiatives that ensure Fort Drum's readiness today and relevancy tomorrow," Newman said, thanking the chamber for its prior investments and noting a division economic-impact estimate of $2.2 billion for the North Country.
Majority Leader Stewart Cousins and other senators praised military service, highlighted local partnerships on food sourcing and airports that support deployments, and pledged ongoing assistance on the items raised. Multiple senators recognized individual soldiers from their districts and described transition and veteran-support programs focused on employment and health services.
Why it matters: Fort Drum is a major employer in northern New York and a focal point for federal-state partnerships around readiness, infrastructure and health services. State-level advocacy and investments can affect the installation 's infrastructure projects and the local economy.
What 's next: The resolution was opened for cosponsorship and the Senate recorded "aye" votes in support; no formal state commitments were made on the floor beyond pledges to continue advocacy.
Newman highlighted the division 's global operations and stressed Fort Drum 's importance to regional readiness and the North Country economy. He urged lawmakers to support initiatives including Operation Janus, a program to evaluate microreactors for energy resiliency at installations; stronger fiscal footing for the Nexstar Health Alliance that serves soldiers and families; and re-establishing a DMV service location at Fort Drum to help frequently transient service members and families.
"Continue your advocacy and support of initiatives that ensure Fort Drum's readiness today and relevancy tomorrow," Newman said, thanking the chamber for its prior investments and noting a division economic-impact estimate of $2.2 billion for the North Country.
Majority Leader Stewart Cousins and other senators praised military service, highlighted local partnerships on food sourcing and airports that support deployments, and pledged ongoing assistance on the items raised. Multiple senators recognized individual soldiers from their districts and described transition and veteran-support programs focused on employment and health services.
Why it matters: Fort Drum is a major employer in northern New York and a focal point for federal-state partnerships around readiness, infrastructure and health services. State-level advocacy and investments can affect the installation 's infrastructure projects and the local economy.
What 's next: The resolution was opened for cosponsorship and the Senate recorded "aye" votes in support; no formal state commitments were made on the floor beyond pledges to continue advocacy.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
