Senate Resolution No. 2241

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Jim Furgal upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Lake
Delta Kiwanis Club on May 18, 2022

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 honor Jim Furgal
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Lake
Delta Kiwanis Club to be celebrated on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Delta
Lake Inn, Rome, New York; and

WHEREAS, Jim Furgal joined the United States Army in 1968, and just
one year later, became the second youngest Staff Sergeant in Army
history; he went on to spend 17 months applying Agent Orange along the
Korean Demilitarized Zone during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, After serving in the Active Reserves as a Drill Instructor
from 1971 to 1975, Jim Furgal testified before the House Veterans
Affairs Committee on Agent Orange use in Korea in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, Jim Furgal has given tirelessly of his
time and energies as a Volunteer Veterans Service Officer, helping
countless veterans and their families; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his fellow
veterans, Jim Furgal has assisted more than 120 veterans get enrolled in
VA healthcare, helped over 300 veterans with filing their claims for
disability compensation and advised over 100 veterans with appeals after
their claims were denied; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he assisted more than 40 widows with claims
for Dependency and Indemnity Compensations; and

WHEREAS, Jim Furgal is also active in the New York State Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. where he has been instrumental in helping
secure and restore the UH-1 Huey Helicopter as well as acquiring the
Kneeling Soldier Statue on display at the Memorial site; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, this extraordinary man co-authored the book, Last
Three Soldiers Standing, the story of Agent Orange use in Korea; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous and dedicated service to his country,
Jim Furgal was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam
Service Metal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea) and the
Marksmanship Medal (M-14); 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 risked their
lives for their beloved Nation; and


WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Jim Furgal demonstrates his love for his country and merits forevermore,
the highest respect of this 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
honor Jim Furgal upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Lake Delta Kiwanis Club on May 18, 2022; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jim Furgal.