LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Hudson River Museum upon the occa-
sion of hosting its exhibit, Westchester Women and War: Portraits

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate those
events which pay tribute to those 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 preserva-
tion of peace in peacetime; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Hudson River Museum upon the occasion of hosting its exhibit, West-
chester Women and War: Portraits, to be held from May 26, 2012, through
September 9, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The Exhibition will showcase portraits of Westchester women
soldiers who serve their country today and those who served in the past,
and will be celebrated at an opening event at the Hudson River Museum in
Yonkers, New York, on Wednesday, June 13, 2012; and
WHEREAS, This exhibit will display the portraits of the following
military women: Sergeant Kristen Walker, New York Army National Guard,
101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Yonkers, 104th Military Police
Battalion, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2007; Specialist Rapcelies Almonte,
New York Army National Guard, 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion,
Yonkers, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2008; Major Tanya Pennella, New York
Army National Guard, Camp Smith, Peekskill, NY, 53rd Army Liaison Team,
Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2009; Technical Sergeant Crystal Radcliff, New
York Air National Guard, 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard
Base, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2008, U.S. Navy veteran, Operation Desert
Shield-Operation Desert Storm, 1993, 1994; Colonel Theresa Mercado-Scon-
zo, U.S. Army Reserve, Nursing Corps, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2005-06,
2008-09; Major Heather X. Cereste, M.D., Air Force Combat Veteran, 332nd
Medical Operations Squadron, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2007; Colonel Mary
Westmoreland, U.S. Army, retired, Legion of Merit Operation Desert
Shield-Operation Desert Storm, 1990-1991, Global War on Terrorism,
Pentagon, 2001-2008; Colonel E. Barbara Wiggins, U.S. Army, retired,
Legion of Merit Adjutant at Fort Mead, Maryland, Vietnam War; Corporal
Margaret Lamar, U.S. Army veteran, Korean War, Medical Technician, Army
hospital, Germany; Private Gloria Sosin, Women's Army Corps, World War
II, Public Relations, Mason General Hospital, Long Island; Seaman Olivia
Hooker, Coast Guard SPAR, World War II, Clerical, First Naval District,
Boston; and
WHEREAS, As World War II raged, many Yonkers women took a first-time
opportunity to become soldiers for their country, enlisting in the
Women's Army Corps, also known as the WAC; and
WHEREAS, Sixty-four years ago, on June 12, 1948, President Harry S.
Truman signed into law the Women's Armed Services 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 Marines; and
WHEREAS, Since this time, women veterans have always answered the call
to duty, serving with integrity and respect; and
WHEREAS, Since 2001, more than 200,000 women have served in the United
States military in Iraq and Afghanistan; women currently make up more
than 15% 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, Women have served this country in uniform - whether veterans
of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the current Global War on
Terrorism and peacetime service, and have earned our respect and thanks;
and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these women have demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their State and Nation; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Hudson River Museum upon the occasion of hosting its exhib-
it, Westchester Women and War: Portraits; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Hudson River Museum and the aforementioned military person-
nel.