Senate Resolution No. 1727

BY: Senator MARTINS

HONORING Stefan and Jenny Hespeler upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the
Awareness and Remembrance Award by the Tribute and
Honor Foundation on February 3, 2024

WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel and
veterans ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals
of democracy and contributes to the defense of liberty for peoples
throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Stefan and
Jenny Hespeler upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of
the Awareness and Remembrance Award by the Tribute and Honor Foundation
to be celebrated at its 3rd Annual Phoenix Rising Awards ceremony on
Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, New
York; and

WHEREAS, The Tribute and Honor Foundation exists to honor, pay
tribute, and celebrate our veterans and the veteran community while also
seeking out opportunities to support our heroes and their families; and

WHEREAS, The Awareness and Remembrance Award is presented to
individuals who have worked to heighten awareness of the alarming rate
of suicide among our active service members and veterans and encouraged
all citizens to remember those who have succumbed to suicide; and

WHEREAS, Stefan and Jenny Hespeler are advocates for service members
and veterans who are casualties of suicide; they founded Operation VEST,
an organization endeavoring to eradicate suicide, one precious life at a
time, by addressing the various needs of our Nation's veteran
population; and

WHEREAS, Since 2020, this benevolent and humanitarian organization
has promoted programs which concentrate on awareness of the tragic
problem that impacts so many of our active service personnel and
veterans and the removal of the stigma associated with mental health to
promote healing and survival for those who sacrificed significantly for
their Nation and fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism, Stefan and Jenny
Hespeler continue to demonstrate their love for their country and its
veterans and merit forevermore the highest respect of their State and
Nation; and

WHEREAS, Those who support 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 Stefan and Jenny Hespeler upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of the Awareness and Remembrance Award by the Tribute and
Honor Foundation on February 3, 2024; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Stefan and Jenny Hespeler.