LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Emily J.T. Perez posthumously upon the
occasion of the dedication of the Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez
Memorial

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate events
of significance as well as to honor members of the Armed Services from
the State of New York, who have served so faithfully and courageously in
order to preserve the principles of freedom and democracy for all the
citizens of this great Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Emily J.T. Perez posthumously upon the occasion of the dedication of the
Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez Memorial and the addition of her name
to River Road in Harriman, New York; and
WHEREAS, The dedication of the Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez
Memorial and the addition of Emily J.T. Perez's name to River Road will
take place on Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the American Legion Post No. 1573
and VFW Post No. 8858 in Harriman, New York; on this day, River Road in
Harriman will thereafter also be known as 2LT Emily J.T. Perez Memorial
Way; and
WHEREAS, Emily J.T. Perez was the first female minority to serve as
Corps Commander Sergeant Major at West Point; she graduated in the top
10 percent of her class, and was lettered in track for four years; and
WHEREAS, After graduating, Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez was
assigned to the 204th Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Divi-
sion and deployed to Iraq in November of 2005, as a Medical Service
Corps Officer; on September 12, 2006, she gave the ultimate sacrifice
during a combat operation; and
WHEREAS, At age 23, Emily J.T. Perez was the first female graduate of
West Point to give her life in the War on Iraq, as well as the first
West Point graduate of the Class of 9/11, and the first female Black-Am-
erican and Hispanic Officer to die in combat; and
WHEREAS, Emily J.T. Perez's decorations include the Purple Heart,
Bronze Star, Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army
Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action
Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; she received the NCAA
Award of Valor posthumously in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez was buried at West Point,
on a high bluff overlooking the Hudson River, alongside two centuries of
fallen graduates, 13 miles from where her memorial will stand; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and rever-
ent esteem, on behalf of all of the citizens of the Empire State, to
renew its tribute to the men and women of New York State who so coura-
geously gave their lives, to ensure our continued role as a Nation which
embodies the ideals of democracy, and as a defender of liberty for
people throughout the world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez posthumously upon the occasion
of the dedication of the Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez memorial and
the addition of her name to River Road in Harriman, New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez.