LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the National Purple Heart Hall of
Honor Tribute on June 25, 2010, honoring Purple Heart recipients, and
recognizing all those veterans who have served and those men and women
who are actively serving our country at home and around the world

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Tribute on June 25, 2010,
honoring Purple Heart recipients, and recognizing all those veterans who
have served and those men and women who are actively serving our country
at home and around the world; and
WHEREAS, This most illustrious event is sponsored by the Purple Heart
Hall of Honor, Inc., and one of Orange County, New York's favored sons,
General David Petraeus, will serve as its keynote speaker; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the NPHHOH Genesis Group will be honored at this
Tribute in recognition of its dedicated members who have given unself-
ishly of their time and talents to act as a concept and advisory group
during the lengthy process of designing and building the National Purple
Heart Hall of Honor; and
WHEREAS, It is important that all Americans are aware that the mission
of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is to collect and preserve
the stories of our Purple Heart recipients; and
WHEREAS, The Purple Heart Medal is the oldest military decoration in
the world in present use, and is awarded in the name of the President of
the United States to members of the United States military who have been
wounded or killed in action; it was created by General George Washington
as a way to honor and thank the brave soldiers who fought under his
command for the independence of our great Nation; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the Roll of Honor includes 150,000 names of recip-
ients of this prestigious medal; however the potential enrollment stands
at over 1.7 million; as Americans, it is our responsibility to ensure
that our history is documented and reverence is given to our war heroes
who earned it and secured our Nation; and
WHEREAS, Military men and women who serve us so well and who often
stand in harm's way, do so to maintain our role as the leader of the
free world; they are the true defenders of democracy and democratic
ideals; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military; it is fitting and
proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of the courage of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Tribute on June 25,
2010, honoring Purple Heart recipients, and recognizing all those veter-
ans who have served and those men and women who are actively serving our
country at home and around the world; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, the National Purple
Heart Hall of Honor Genesis Group and General David Petraeus.