LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim June 12, 2009, as Women Veterans Recognition Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, Sixty-one years ago, on June 12, 1948, President Harry S.
Truman signed into law the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of
1948 (P.L. 625-80th Congress); this law insured that women would have a
permanent place in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, The late Senator Margaret Chase Smith from Maine authorized
the legislation that President Truman signed; the Act remains the most
significant legislation pertaining to women's military service and is
the cornerstone for policies and regulations affecting women; and
WHEREAS, Women veterans have always answered the call to duty, serving
with integrity and respect; and
WHEREAS, As of 2006, there are 50,000 females serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan; women make up about 15 percent of the Army; and
WHEREAS, Women from New York who have served in the Armed Forces of
the United States have made countless contributions and tremendous
sacrifices during times of war; and
WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the contributions of New York
women veterans and educate the people of New York concerning the role of
women during wartime since this Nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers serving in the military continue to demonstrate
their professionalism, dedication, and skills, as well as their patriot-
ism and love for their country and liberties, freedoms, and rights that
it stands for as they mobilize in record numbers to support Operation
Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and
the struggle against extremism; and
WHEREAS, General Ann E. Dunwoody is the first woman in the United
States military and uniformed service history to achieve a four-star
officer grade, receiving her fourth star on November 14, 2008; and
WHEREAS, General Dunwoody is the Commander General, U.S. Materiel
Command; previously, she served as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army
Materiel Command from June 17, 2008, to November 13, 2008; on June 23,
2008, President Bush nominated her as the next Commander; she was
confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 23, 2008; and
WHEREAS, General Dunwoody, who was a master parachutist and a former
battalion commander, handled logistics for the 82nd Airborne Division in
Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War; as a three-star general, she
flew to Afghanistan and Iraq to ensure the steady flow of ammunition,
tanks and fuel to the troops; and
WHEREAS, General Dunwoody's brother, father, grandfather and great-
grandfather all graduated from West Point; her father, Harold H.
Dunwoody, and great-grandfather, Henry Harrison Chase Dunwoody, served
as one-star generals; her older sister, Susan Schoeck, was the third
woman in the Army to be a helicopter pilot; furthermore, her niece,
Jennifer Schoeck, is a fighter pilot who has flown missions in Afghanis-
tan; and
WHEREAS, Today, women make up about 14 percent of the 1.4 million
people on active duty in the military; and
WHEREAS, More than 100 women have died in the conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, The number of women at the very top is growing but remains
small; in the Army, where women make up 14 percent of active duty
personnel, they account for about 5 percent of the generals; there are
15 one-star generals, three two-star generals, and one three-star gener-
al; and

WHEREAS, Women have served this country in uniform--whether veterans
of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the current wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq, and peacetime service, they have earned our
respect and thanks; and
WHEREAS, Women Veterans Recognition Day is a living estuary to the
courage of so many; from its broad base of shared concern and responsive
endeavor, there yet emanates the current of valiant tradition and the
irrepressible tide of freedom; and
WHEREAS, Through its avowed commitment to those who have served in the
cause of America's Freedom, Women Veterans Recognition Day does so
unselfishly advance that spirit of united purpose and shared concern
which is the unalterable manifestation of our American experience; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the bravery, patriotism and sacrifice made by women, both
those still living and those who have died in service to our great coun-
try; and to most proudly commemorate the 61st Anniversary of the signing
of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, which later came
to be known as Women Veterans Recognition Day; and to memorialize Gover-
nor David A. Paterson to proclaim Friday, June 12, 2009, as Women Veter-
ans Recognition Day in the State of New York, fully confident that such
procedure mirrors our shared commitment to preserve, to ensure and to
yet effect that patrimony of freedom which is our American Heritage; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That we pause further to honor those women who have served
in all branches of the United States Armed Forces honorably as military
nurses; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and General Ann E. Dunwoody.