LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating Mary E. Walker Day, May 12, 2012,
in recognition of her many acts of bravery and heroism on the battle-
field of the Civil War

WHEREAS, From time to time, this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals of remarkable courage and strength of charac-
ter and stood with fortitude for freedom and humanity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to join the
Town of Oswego in commemorating Mary E. Walker Day, May 12, 2012, in
recognition of her many acts of bravery and heroism on the battlefield
of the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, Mary E. Walker was the only woman to ever
receive the Congressional Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, Mary E. Walker was born on November 26, 1832, at the family
farm on Bunker Hill Road, in the Town of Oswego, New York; in 1853, she
entered Central Medical College in Syracuse; and
WHEREAS, In 1855, Mary E. Walker graduated from medical college and
became the second woman in the United States to become a Medical Doctor;
she later opened a practice in Columbus, Ohio, but it lasted only a few
months; and
WHEREAS, In 1856, Dr. Mary E. Walker married Dr. Albert Miller, and
they each opened a practice in Rome, New York; and
WHEREAS, After divorcing her husband, Dr. Mary E. Walker traveled to
Washington, D.C. in 1861 to volunteer her services in the hospitals
during the early months of the Civil War; in 1864 while on the battle-
field, she took a wrong turn and was taken prisoner by the Confederate
forces; and
WHEREAS, Afterward, Dr. Mary E. Walker was brought to a prison in
Richmond, Virginia; four months later she obtained her freedom in a
prisoner exchange; and
WHEREAS, After being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1865,
Dr. Mary E. Walker spent much of the 1870s lobbying in Washington, D.C.
for suffrage and other causes; and
WHEREAS, An author of books, Dr. Mary E. Walker had CROWNING CONSTITU-
TIONAL ARGUMENT published in 1907; this was the most comprehensive
statement in her approach to suffrage; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mary E. Walker died on February 21, 1919 at her home in
Oswego; her final resting spot is Rural Cemetery in the Town of Oswego;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mary E. Walker's vision was a society where justice and
humanity reign; her legacy continues to inspire generations of men and
women everywhere to seek their inalienable rights; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
join the Town of Oswego in commemorating Mary E. Walker Day, May 12,
2012, in recognition of her many acts of bravery and heroism on the
battlefield of the Civil War; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Oswego.