Senate Resolution No. 1302

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING Phillip A. Elia 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 Phillip A.
Elia 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, to be presented to his family at an event on
Thursday, April 25, 2019; 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, Phillip A. Elia was born to Sylvia and the late Anthony
Elia on January 31, 1955, in Buffalo, New York; after graduating from
Lafayette High School in 1973, he enlisted in the United States Navy
where he proudly served his country as a hospital corpsman for four
years; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Phillip A. Elia married the former Barbara Barry,
and studied nursing at Canisius College while working as an aide at Our
Lady of Victory Hospital in Lackawanna, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Phillip A. Elia joined the Army National Guard as
a medic and supply sergeant; he and his unit trained in Alaska where
they lived in tents in subzero freezing temperatures; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return to New York, Phillip A. Elia co-founded the
WNY Maritime Charter School before his deployment to Iraq; and

WHEREAS, On September 12, 2001, Master Sergeant Phillip A. Elia
responded to Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks; for six weeks, he
worked in various capacities including logistics and security; five
years later, he retired from the Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service, Master Sergeant Phillip A. Elia
was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Award and the
Commander's Award for Public Service; and

WHEREAS, Phillip A. Elia was the proud father of three children,
Max, Marilyn and Brian, and the loving grandfather of two grandsons,
Miles and Samuel; he was a member of the Wounded Warriors Project and
enjoyed refinishing old furniture; 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,
Phillip A. Elia 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 Phillip A. Elia 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 Phillip A. Elia.