LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Department of New York Military
Order of the Purple Heart upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Convention from May 6-7, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions, and their volunteers, that are devoted to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Department of New York Military Order of the Purple Heart upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Convention from Friday, May 6, 2016, to
Saturday, May 7, 2016, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Military Order of the Purple Heart is comprised of mili-
tary men and women who received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered at
the hand of the enemy in combat; the valiant members of this vital
organization live by the motto, "All Gave Some-Some Gave All"; and
WHEREAS, Although the membership is restricted to those wounded in
combat, the Military Order of the Purple Heart supports all veterans and
their families with a myriad of nation-wide programs offered by various
Chapters and National Service Officers; and
WHEREAS, For the first time, the modern Purple Heart Medal was
presented to World War I Veterans at the New Windsor Cantonment site in
1932; in that same year, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an
organization comprised of strictly combat veterans, was formed to
protect the mutual interests of the recipients of the prestigious Purple
Heart Medal; and
WHEREAS, To honor these meritorious soldiers, the New York State
Legislature passed a law in 1991, which designated Route 5 from Syracuse
to Albany as the "Purple Heart Highway"; in addition, Chapter 360 of the
Laws of 2011, allocated a portion of the Northern State Parkway in the
counties of Nassau and Suffolk as the "Purple Heart Way"; and
WHEREAS, To further recognize these courageous men and women, the New
York State Purple Heart Memorial, located on Madison Avenue in Albany,
New York, was dedicated at a ceremony held on August 6, 2004; this Memo-
rial honors New Yorkers who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal,
the oldest military decoration in the world; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New
Windsor, New York, was dedicated on November 10, 2006; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Department of New York Military Order of the Purple Heart
upon the occasion of hosting its Annual Convention from May 6-7, 2016;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Matthew B. Tully, Esq. Department Commander for New York
State Military Order of the Purple Heart and Scott Kyle, Commander Chap-
ter 446 New York State Military Order of the Purple Heart.