Assembly Resolution No. 424

BY: M. of A. Barrett

COMMENDING the Jewish War Veterans of the United
States of America on its 125th Anniversary, and
paying tribute to its members for their outstanding
contributions to our Nation

WHEREAS, Members of our Armed Forces 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 the Jewish
War Veterans of the United States of America and to pay tribute to its
members for their outstanding contributions to our Nation; and

WHEREAS, The Jewish War Veterans was founded March 15, 1896, in New
York City as the Hebrew Union Veterans Association (HUVA) by Civil War
veterans destressed by the commonly held belief that Jews avoided
military service; and

WHEREAS, The Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is
the oldest veteran's organization in the country; in 1958 it was charted
by Congress; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, this esteemed veteran's organization
has been a force against bigotry in America, while working to support
the Jewish community; and

WHEREAS, Now in its 125th year of service, the Jewish War Veterans
of the United States of America continue to address the challenges of
serving our Nation's veterans; its members and auxiliaries perform
outreach to better assist former members of the Armed Forces throughout
the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Jewish War Veterans is credited with starting the first
letter-writing campaign in support of the GI Bill, which enabled
thousands of returning World War II veterans to attend college and make
a better life for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS, In 1963, the Jewish War Veterans were the only veteran's
group to march with Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, the Jewish War Veterans was first among veterans'
organizations to support the withdrawing of troops in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States
have donated recreational items, such as books and games, to service
clubs and canteens, as well as clothing and care packages needed by
patients at veterans' hospitals and facilities; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to combating anti-Semitism in all its forms, the
Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America offers extensive
programs committed to upholding America's deep concern about the

condition of fellow Jews throughout the world and commits to the
assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide; and

WHEREAS, The 125th Anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of America
is a living testament to its indomitable heritage; and

WHEREAS, Through its long and sustained commitment to the ideals and
principles upon which this beloved Nation was first founded, the Jewish
War Veterans of the United States of America has unselfishly advanced
that spirit of united purpose and shared concern which is the
unalterable manifestation of our American experience; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America on its
125th Anniversary, and to pay tribute to its members for their
outstanding contributions to our Nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America.