LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring William Haggerty, Jr. 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, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor William
Haggerty, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate, to be celebrated at the Rensselaer
County Honor-A-Deceased Veteran Ceremony in January of 2016; 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, Affectionately known as Ned, William Haggerty, Jr. was born
in Green Island, New York to the late William and Kathleen Crummy
Haggerty; a graduate of Heatly High School, he grew up in Green Island,
resided in Lansingburgh most of his life and had been a resident of
Clifton Park for the last 20 years; and
WHEREAS, William Haggerty, Jr. honorably served his country as a
member of the United States Army during the Korean War; he was seriously
wounded on July 4, 1953 on Pork Chop Hill, earning his second Purple
Heart and spending many months recovering in Japan; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return from the war, William Haggerty, Jr. worked as
a special agent with Continental Insurance Company for many years before
serving as a clerk at the Troy Post Office, retiring in the late 1970s;
and
WHEREAS, Named 2004 Man of the Year at the Friends of 112th Street,
William Haggerty, Jr. was a lifelong communicant of the former St.
Joseph's Church in Green Island until its closing; he will always be
remembered for his generosity, his sense of humor, his smile and his
ability to make people laugh; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents and his beloved sister, M. Patri-
cia Lamb (Jack), William Haggerty, Jr. is survived by his two children,
William III (Karen) and Erin (Vincent); and four grandchildren, Sean,
Heather, Bridgette and Brendan; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
William Haggerty, Jr. demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and his 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
honor William Haggerty, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his desig-
nation 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 tran-
smitted to the family of William Haggerty, Jr.