LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the United
States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team

WHEREAS, In the course of American military history, the United States
Army Golden Knights Parachute Team is legendary for their contributions
to the U.S. Army and our nation; and
WHEREAS, Formed in 1959, as a Strategic Army Sport Parachute Team, the
Golden Knights' initial purpose was to compete in the then communist-do-
minated sport of freefall parachuting; and
WHEREAS, The team performed so well, that on June 1, 1961, the Army
officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the United
States Army Parachute Team; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Golden Knights consist of two demonstration teams
which travel nationwide performing aerial demonstrations at air shows
and special events in support of the Army recruiting efforts, and two
competition teams which travel and compete nationally and interna-
tionally at various parachuting competitions; and
WHEREAS, "Each successful Golden Knight mission honors the sacrifices
and accomplishments our fellow soldiers make every day, whether they're
fighting overseas or serving back home making a difference for their
families, their communities and the nation," according to Lieutenant
Colonel Anthony Dill, Commander of the Golden Knights; and
WHEREAS, Busts of former team members, Sergeant 1st Class Pedro Munoz,
the first combat fatality in Afghanistan who jumped with the Golden
Knights from 1998 to 2002, and Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. "Mike"
Novosel, a former pilot with the Golden Knights who earned a Medal of
Honor for actions in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, were dedicated at a
special ceremony at Fort Bragg, that celebrated the team's half century
of serving the country as Army ambassadors while also representing more
than one million American Soldiers; and
WHEREAS, As part of the ongoing 50th Anniversary celebration, the
Golden Knights have a variety of special activities planned for the
coming months, including jumps into both the new Yankee Stadium and the
Statue of Liberty grounds; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the United States Army Golden
Knights Parachute Team; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the United States Army Golden Knights Para-
chute Team, and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Dill, Commander of the Golden
Knights.