Senate Resolution No. 1119

BY: Senator THOMAS

COMMENDING Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes
posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State
Senate

WHEREAS, 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 preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Specialist
Daniel A. Fuentes posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Daniel A. Fuentes attended Island Trees High School where
he was an avid wrestler, one who always put the welfare of his team
before his own; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, Daniel A. Fuentes enlisted in the United States
Army, just three months after graduation but always maintained close
ties with his alma mater; and

WHEREAS, Whenever he was home on leave, Daniel A. Fuentes would
return for visits to the school; his last visit was two weeks before he
was deployed to Iraq in February of 2007; and

WHEREAS, Daniel A. Fuentes was known as the best of the best, a
hardworking, never give up kind of guy; he never had a bad word to say
about anyone and had a smile that lit up a room; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes served his country as a member
of the United States Army 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division; he was deployed out
of Fort Riley, Kansas; and

WHEREAS, On April 6, 2007, while in Baghdad, Iraq, 19 year-old
Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes was mortally wounded when an improvised
explosive device (IED) detonated near his vehicle; and

WHEREAS, Survived by his mother, father, brother, sister, son,
niece, nephew and other family members, Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes'
legacy of helping others lives on; immediately following his death, the
Fuentes Family set up the Specialist Daniel Fuentes Memorial Scholarship
fund at Island Trees High School to help ensure other Island Trees
"Bulldogs" get the opportunity for a college education; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, over 60 scholarships have been awarded to
students who exemplify Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes' sense of honesty,
loyalty, and courage; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, after 10 successful years of having the
scholarship fund at Island Trees High School, the Fuentes Family opened
the non-profit Daniel Fuentes Foundation to not only provide
scholarships to Island Trees seniors, but to also help support our
active military, veterans and Military K-9 friends; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, the Daniel Fuentes Foundation has donated
custom wrestling apparel to the Island Trees Wrestling Team; and sent
care packages to soldiers overseas; as well as care packages to the
Military K-9s including food, medications and other medical needs; and

WHEREAS, In addition, each year, the Daniel Fuentes Foundation host
the "Gold Star Families Remembrance of Our Fallen Heroes" at Eisenhower
Park with the help of Nassau County and other Gold Star Families,
reading the names of all New York State Fallen Heroes; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes demonstrated his love for his country and
merits forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes posthumously upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Specialist Daniel A. Fuentes.