LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the life and accomplishments of
William J. Hartman upon the occasion of his designation as the recipient
of the 2009 Greene County Honor a Deceased Veteran Award

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate
the life and accomplishments of William J. Hartman upon the occasion of
his designation as the recipient of the 2009 Greene County Honor a
Deceased Veteran Award; and
WHEREAS, A native of Catskill, New York, William J. Hartman was born
March 18, 1920, and attended Catskill High School and St. Vincent's
College in Pennsylvania; he passed away on December 10, 2000, at the age
of 80; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, William J. Hartman served his country
proudly as a Navigator-Bombardier Pilot with the United States Army Air
Corps 428th Unit Bombardier Squadron, 310th Bombardier Group; and
WHEREAS, William J. Hartman entered military service on July 25, 1942,
and served in the European Theater of Operations and the Tunisian, Sici-
lian and Italian Campaigns; he was honorably discharged in June 1945,
with the rank of 1st Lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, For his consummate courage and bravery, William J. Hartman
was the recipient of a multitude of awards, honors and certificates of
recognition, acknowledging his efforts of in-depth magnitude, including
the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Europe-
an Theater of Operations Campaign Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation
Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf clusters, the American Theater Campaign
Ribbon and the Distinguished Flying Cross; and
WHEREAS, A longtime advocate for veterans, William J. Hartman was
employed as a Veterans Counselor for the New York State Division of
Veterans Affairs in Greene County for many years; and
WHEREAS, The quintessential civic leader, William J. Hartman was a
member of numerous organizations, including the Masons of Catskill and
the Board of Education of the Catskill Central School; he also served as
a Greene County Legislator from 1972 to 1975; and
WHEREAS, William J. Hartman left a legacy which will long endure the
passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served
and befriended; he is survived by his wife, Virginia, and their two
children, Dr. Carl Hartman and Susan Thompkins, all of whom felt privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoiced in his many achievements;
and
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, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and
thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for
their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-

tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of William J. Hartman upon the
occasion of his designation as the recipient of the 2009 Greene County
Honor a Deceased Veteran Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of William J. Hartman.