LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 115th Anniversary of the found-
ing of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States and commending its
members for their outstanding contributions to our Nation

WHEREAS, The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. was founded in 1896, and
is the oldest veterans' organization in the country, chartered by
Congress in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Upon the occasion of its 115th Anniversary, it is the sense
of this Legislative Body to commemorate an event of such meaningful
significance to the State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, In 1654, Asher Levy, one of the original 23 Jewish settlers
in New Amsterdam, demanded and secured for himself and fellow Jews the
right to stand guard at the stockade; from Colonial times to the pres-
ent, Jews have played an important part of the defense of the United
States of America; and
WHEREAS, On July 31, 1776, Frances Salvador, a plantation owner from
South Carolina was killed in a British incited Indian skirmish; he was
the first Jew killed in the Revolutionary War; 118 years later, in 1896,
a group of Jewish Civil War veterans organized the Hebrew Union Veter-
ans, an organization that was later to become the Jewish War Veterans of
the U.S.A.; the Hebrew Union Veterans was founded as a direct result of
slander and insinuations that Jews had not participated in the military
during the War Between the States; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of Jews died in combat for their country and thou-
sands more have been awarded combat medals for the performance of their
duty in the time of war; and
WHEREAS, A study of Jewish participation in the military during World
War II indicates very clearly that Jews served in the Armed Forces
beyond their numerical proportion to the general population; they
received more than 52,000 awards including the Medal of Honor, the Air
Medal, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart; more than 51,000 Jews were
listed as casualties; 11,000 died in combat; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of Ameri-
ca combat anti-Semitism in all its forms, carry on an extensive program
committed to upholding America's democratic traditions, and fight bigot-
ry, prejudice, injustice and discrimination of all kinds; the Jewish War
Veterans are also deeply concerned about the condition of fellow Jews
throughout the world and commit to the assistance of opposed Jews world-
wide; and
WHEREAS, Through its hospital rehabilitation and veterans' service
programs, the Jewish War Veterans assists the veteran and his dependents
in many ways; it maintains Veterans' Service Offices, staffed by profes-
sionals, in major cities throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, Jewish War Veterans also supports and raises money for the
Israeli Military Rest and Rehabilitation Home in Beersheba, Israel; and
WHEREAS, The Jewish War Veterans brings Jewish patriotism to schools
through Jewish American Heroes and Americanism Programs; and
WHEREAS, Jewish War Veterans sponsors Boy Scout troops and is a member
of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting, programs for the poor and
homeless and actively fights drug and alcohol abuse; and
WHEREAS, The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. represents a proud
tradition and is the oldest active veterans' organization in America;
and
WHEREAS, The 115 year history of the Jewish War Veterans of the United
States is a living estuary to an indomitable heritage; from its broad
base of shared concern and responsive endeavor, there yet emanate the
current of valiant tradition and the irrepressible tide of freedom; and

WHEREAS, Through its long and sustained commitment to the ideals and
principles upon which this beloved nation was first founded, the Jewish
War Veterans of the U.S.A. have so unselfishly advanced 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 and
most proudly commemorate the 115th Anniversary of the Jewish War Veter-
ans of the United States, fully confident that such procedure mirrors
our shared commitment to preserve, to enhance and to yet effect that
patrimony of freedom which is our American heritage; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Jewish War Veterans, U.S.A., Department of New York
Commander Sidney Goldberg, and Legislative Chair Gerald Alperstein.