Senate Resolution No. 2104

BY: Senator HINCHEY

COMMENDING James A. Herring posthumously upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

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 esteemed Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend James A.
Herring posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate, to be honored on Monday, April 22, 2024, by the
Columbia County VSA at their Honor a Vet Program where his daughter,
Vivian Herring, will be presented with a Liberty Medal; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Born on April 26, 1931, in Clinton, North Carolina, James
A. Herring was raised by Clearance and Naomi Herring; in June of 1949,
he graduated from high school in Roseboro, New York and worked as a
bridge foreman prior to his military service; and

WHEREAS, On May 22, 1951, James A. Herring was induced into the
United States Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; after his initial
training, he received the title Private First-Class and was assigned to
Headquarters & Service Company, 34th Engineering C Battalion in Fort
Lewis, Washington, with an (MOS1729) Antitank mine platoon; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service, James A. Herring was honorably
discharged on May 21, 1953, at Reception Center in Fort Lewis,
Washington; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning home, James A. Herring met and married Mary
A. Davis in Clinton, North Carolina in 1953; moving to Catskill, New
York, he was employed in the area as the first Black barber at Moses
Taylor Barber Shop and also worked as a driver/laborer for the New York
State Department of Transportation during his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, James A. Herring, known by his
friends as Watash, was a lifetime member of the Hudson Shiloh Baptist
Church, serving on the Senior Usher Board, Trustee Ministry, Men's
Network, and Men's Choir; he also served as a lifetime member of the
masonic Mt. Zion Lodge No. 46, where he held a myriad of roles; and

WHEREAS, James A. Herring died on October 4, 2022, at the age of 91;
he was buried amidst his loved ones in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson, New
York; and

WHEREAS, James A. Herring is survived by three daughters, Vivian,
Jackie, and Latonia, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren;
sadly, he was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and daughter, Carolyn; 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 gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
James A. Herring 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 James A. Herring posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of James A. Herring.