LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim March 25, 2009, as Medal of Honor Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Throughout our Nation's history, the men and women of America's
Armed Forces have preserved our freedom, protected our security and
upheld our democratic values; and
WHEREAS, From the battles of the American Revolution through the
crucible of two world wars to the war on terrorism today, our men and
women in uniform have stood proudly in defense of the United States and
in the cause of liberty; and
WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor, the highest distinction that can be
awarded to a member of the Armed Forces, is awarded by the President in
the name of the Congress to members of the Armed Forces who have distin-
guished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty; and
WHEREAS, The Nation will forever be in debt to the recipients of the
Medal of Honor for their bravery and sacrifice in times of war or armed
conflict; and
WHEREAS, The first Medal of Honor awards were presented to six men on
March 25, 1863, by the Secretary of War; and
WHEREAS, Only 3,467 and counting individuals out of the millions of
men and women who have served our Nation in war, military operations, or
other armed conflicts have been awarded the Medal of Honor; 19 have
received a second award, with 14 of them who received two separate
Medals for two separate actions; and five have received both the Navy
and the Army Medal of Honor for the same action; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, two Medals of Honor were awarded posthumously to a
Marine and a Navy SEAL from the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Jason L. Dunham, United States Marine Corps. of
Scio, New York, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on January
11, 2007 for his heroic action on April 14, 2004, in Karabilah, Iraq;
and
WHEREAS, Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy of Patchogue, New
York, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on October 22, 2007;
and
WHEREAS, The first United States Navy SEAL since the Vietnam War to be
awarded the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Murphy is the third recipient
since troops were sent to Afghanistan in 2001; and
WHEREAS, The National Headquarters and Museum for the Congressional
Medal of Honor Society is located aboard the aircraft carrier USS York-
town; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate to honor the heroic recipients of the Medal
of Honor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim March 25, 2009, as
Medal of Honor Day in the State of New York, and to urge all citizens of
the State of New York to display the Nation's flag on that date to honor
all recipients of the Medal of Honor; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and the National Headquarters and Museum for the Congressional
Medal of Honor.