Senate Resolution No. 621

BY: Senator THOMAS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
August 7, 2023, as Purple Heart Day in the State of
New York

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 moved to memorialize Governor
Kathy Hochul to proclaim Monday, August 7, 2023, as Purple Heart Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Purple Heart Day; and

WHEREAS, The Purple Heart Medal is the oldest military decoration in
the world in present use, and is awarded in the name of the President of
the United States to members of the United States military who have been
wounded or killed in action; it was created by General George Washington
as a way to honor and thank the brave soldiers who fought under his
command for the independence of our great Nation; and

WHEREAS, According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an
organization for combat-wounded veterans, the medal is "the oldest
military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made
available to a common soldier"; and

WHEREAS, On August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War, General
George Washington issued an order establishing a badge of distinction
for meritorious action; the badge, which consisted of a heart made of
purple cloth, is known to have been awarded to three sergeants from
Connecticut regiments; and

WHEREAS, Known as the Badge of Military Merit, the award was
distinctive because it was available to the lower ranks at a time when
only officers were eligible for decoration in European armies; in
creating this appropriately exalted honor General Washington wrote "The
road to glory in a patriot army is thus open to all."; and

WHEREAS, Although not continued after the Revolutionary War, the
decoration was reinstated by the U.S. War Department, now the Department
of Defense, on February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of George
Washington's birth; and

WHEREAS, From the days of General George Washington, our nation's
military leaders have awarded the Purple Heart in the name of the
President of the United States to honor almost two million Americans who
have been wounded in battle or killed in action; and

WHEREAS, As Americans, it is our responsibility to ensure that our
history is documented and reverence is given to our war heroes who
served this great Nation; and

WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military; it is fitting and
proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of the courage of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our
appreciation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous
acts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 7, 2023, as Purple
Heart Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.