Senate Resolution No. 3209

BY: Senator BROOKS

URGING the New York State Congressional delegation
to respectfully propose to the President of the
United States to designate a state funeral for the
last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World
War II

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, World War II lasted from 1939 until 1945, and the United
States entered the war in 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor; and

WHEREAS, Over 16 million Americans served their country and its
allies over the course of the war; and

WHEREAS, The generation of men and women who served our country in
World War II has been called "the greatest generation" for their
selfless sacrifice; and

WHEREAS The Medal of Honor, presented by the President of the United
States, in the name of Congress, is the highest military decoration
awarded by the United States government; and

WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of the
United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and
beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the
United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict
with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces
engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which
the United States is not a belligerent party; and

WHEREAS, More than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to our
nation's bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen
since the creation of the award in 1861; and

WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor was awarded to 473 Americans during
World War II, and only two of those 473 Americans are alive today; and

WHEREAS, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee and Hershel W. Williams of
West Virginia both served their country with conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of life and therefore deserve the gratitude of
the American people; 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;
and

WHEREAS, The President of the United States has the sole authority
to designate a state funeral; historically, the Commander in Chief has

designated state funerals for former presidents, generals, and other
extraordinary Americans; and

WHEREAS, Designating a state funeral when the last surviving World
War II Medal of Honor recipient dies would be a wonderful way for the
American people to unite and honor all 16 million soldiers, sailors, and
airmen who served in our armed forces from 1941 to 1945; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States be and hereby is
respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to respectfully
propose to the President of the United States to designate a state
funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War
II; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the President of the Senate of the United States, the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the
Congress of the United States from the State of New York.