LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 12, 2014, as Women Veterans Recognition Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, Sixty-six years ago, on June 12, 1948, President Harry S.
Truman signed into law the Women's Armed Services Act of 1948 (P.L.
625-80th Congress); this law insured that women would have a permanent
place in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines; and
WHEREAS, The late Senator Margaret Chase Smith from Maine authorized
the legislation that President Truman signed; the act remains the most
significant legislation pertaining to women's military service and is
the cornerstone for policies and regulations affecting women; and
WHEREAS, Women veterans have always answered the call to duty, serving
The United States of America with integrity and respect; and
WHEREAS, As of 2009, women have averaged 15.5 percent of the officers
across the four military branches; and
WHEREAS, Women make up nearly 15 percent of today's active duty mili-
tary; 19.5 percent of the United States Guard and United States Reserve
forces, are women; and
WHEREAS, Women from New York who have served in the Armed Forces of
the United States have made countless contributions and tremendous
sacrifices during times of war; and
WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the contributions of New York
women veterans and educate the people of New York concerning the role of
women during wartime since this Nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers serving in the military continue to demonstrate
their professionalism, dedication, leadership, and skills, as well as
the patriotism and love for their country and liberties, freedoms, and
rights it stands for as they mobilize in record numbers to support Oper-
ation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom,
Operation New Dawn and the global war on terrorism; and
WHEREAS, Among the Armed Forces, there are over 63,800 women veterans
in the United States military from the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 13 years, there have been over 650 women wound-
ed in war and approximately 137 women who served in Afghanistan, Iraq,
and Kuwait lost their lives in war; and
WHEREAS, Women who have served this country in uniform, whether veter-
ans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the current Global
War on Terror and peacetime service, have earned our respect and thanks;
and
WHEREAS, In 1998, the State of New York dedicated The New York State
Women Veterans Memorial located in Albany, New York, to honor the 1.2
million women in military service over the past 200 years; and
WHEREAS, In January 2013, an announcement was made by Defense Secre-
tary Leon Panetta that the military would be lifting the policy against
women in combat roles; and
WHEREAS, In April 2013, the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs launched a new hotline to respond to questions from women veter-
ans, and families and caregivers of veterans, about the services and
resources the Department of Veterans Affairs offers for women veterans;
and
WHEREAS, Women are projected to make-up close to 18 percent of the
total United States veteran population by 2040; and
WHEREAS, New York State continues to honor and respect the women
veterans of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, The Zion House, located in Avon, Livingston County, New York,
which is one of the first houses for female veterans in the county and

first in New York State, opened in 2010; the home operates as a self-
managed system run by a resident council facilitated by a case manager;
and
WHEREAS, The Guardian House of Saratoga opened in 2011; located in
Ballston Spa, it houses up to 11 women veterans, and is part of the
Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company; and
WHEREAS, Women Veterans Recognition Day is a living estuary to the
courage of so many; from its broad base of shared concern and responsive
endeavor, there yet emanates the current of valiant tradition and the
irrepressible tide of freedom; and
WHEREAS, Through its avowed commitment to those who have served in the
cause of America's Freedom, Women Veterans Recognition Day does so
unselfishly advance the spirit of the 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 pay
tribute to the bravery, patriotism and sacrifice made by women, both
those still living and those who died in service of our great country;
and most proudly commemorates the 66th Anniversary of the signing of the
Women's Armed Forces Service Act of 1948, which later came to be known
as Women Veterans Recognition Day; and to memorialize Governor Andrew M.
Cuomo to proclaim Thursday, June 12, 2014 as Women Veterans Recognition
Day in the state of New York, fully confident that such procedure
mirrors our shared commitment to preserve, to ensure and to yet effect
that patrimony of freedom which is our American Heritage; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and Colonel Eric J. Hesse, Retired, Director of the New York State
Division of Veterans' Affairs.