Assembly Resolution No. 398

BY: M. of A. Barclay

COMMENDING Garry Visconti upon the occasion of
being named the 2019 Veteran of the Year by the
Fulton Veterans Council

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, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Garry Visconti upon the occasion of being named the 2019 Veteran
of the Year by the Fulton Veterans Council; and

WHEREAS, In addition, as Veteran of the Year, Garry Visconti will
lead in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at community events and will
serve as Grand Marshal in the Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 25,
2019; and

WHEREAS, The esteemed Veteran of the Year Award recognizes
individuals who have served honorably in the military, and who have
contributed to the betterment of their community after being discharged;
and

WHEREAS, A veteran of the United States Navy, Garry Visconti's
service spanned two decades with assignments in both the western Pacific
Ocean and the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea; and

WHEREAS, During his second Mediterranean assignment, Garry Visconti
achieved the rank of petty officer, a seventh enlisted rank position,
for his technical and leadership skills; and

WHEREAS, Garry Visconti was posted in Libya during the air battle
near Tobruck on January 4, 1989, when two U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats shot
down two Soviet-manufactured MiG-23 Floggers into the Mediterranean Sea;
and

WHEREAS, In 1994, then President Bill Clinton bestowed upon Garry
Visconti a Navy Achievement Award for his role in Operation Uphold
Democracy, a military intervention by the United States in Haiti,
purposed to remove the military regime which seized power from a
democratically-elected president via coup d'etat in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, while aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower,
Garry Visconti was responsible for arming the 10th Mountain Division
with proper munitions for their invasion; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to veterans,
Garry Visconti has served as emcee for numerous Veterans Day

celebrations, emphasizing the importance of honoring servicemen and
women for their sacrifices to preserve American freedom and teaching
children of younger generations to do the same; and

WHEREAS, As President of the Fulton Veterans Council in 2016, Garry
Visconti aided in the search and repatriation of U.S. Army Corporal
Joseph Trepasso's remains 66 years after he was killed while fighting in
the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Garry Visconti has 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 Garry Visconti upon the occasion of being named the 2019 Veteran
of the Year by the Fulton Veterans Council; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Garry Visconti.