Senate Resolution No. 2203

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

HONORING the distinguished veterans from the State
of New York upon the occasion of their induction
into the New York State Senate 2026 Veterans Hall of
Fame

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 the
distinguished veterans from the State of New York upon the occasion of
their induction into the New York State Senate 2026 Veterans Hall of
Fame; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame inductees
are members of any branch of the United States Armed Forces, which
include Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps; these
exceptional men and women are chosen for this prestigious honor based on
either service in combat or notable work performed after discharge from
the service; and

WHEREAS, The 2026 inductees include: Richard V. Acritelli, Joseph
Austin, Robin Dana Blocker, Jerry C. Bowman, Susan Branam, Joseph
Canzoneri, David Crum, Sandy Davis, John DePerno, Antonio Diaz, Lori
Dispenza, Christopher J. Douglas, Modesto Figueroa, John F. Fox, William
Frank, Jr., Eugene Gerrard, Jaime Gonzalez, Colden Grant, Nathan B.
Grant, Susan Herson, MD, Joseph Hunt, Willie Jackson, Lou Jerome, John
Harry Kellers, Jason D. Knapp, Eugene Loparco, Frank Marcinek, Jezebel
McIntosh, Ronnie McNair, Kevin C. Meggett, Michael R. Militello, George
M. Morreale, John A. Neggia, Paul Oleksiw, Denis E. Oliver, Justin Young
Park, Juan Parra, Martin Pedraza, Dominick Pepe, Massiel Pimentel,
Joscelyn Ralph, Rafael Rodriguez Jr., Diego Rubio, Karleen Susan
Savidge, John Schroeder, John Shott, Brian Sillik, Donee' Smalls, Luis
Soltero-Rodriguez, Marie-Michelle Strah, PhD, Larry Strassner, Michael
Sweeney, Manolin Tirado, Michael Carmine Vellucci, Frederico Alexander
Watson, Ron Watson, Gary A. Wood, and Michael Zemser; and

WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
and

WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, must never forget the courage with which these men and
women served their country; 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 the distinguished veterans from the State of New York upon the
occasion of their induction into the New York State Senate 2026 Veterans
Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the 2026 inductees.