LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Albany High School JROTC upon the
occasion of partnering up with the Albany District 369th Veterans Asso-
ciation in renaming their program the Sgt. Henry Johnson Battalion

WHEREAS, Members of our armed forces and JROTC who give of their time
and energies and serve the best interests of their communities and
nation are an asset beyond remuneration and cannot be sufficiently
extolled; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Albany
High School JROTC upon the occasion of partnering up with the Albany
District 369th Veterans Association in renaming their program the Sgt.
Henry Johnson Battalion; this auspicious occasion was celebrated at a
Designation Ceremony held on Friday, December 11, 2015; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Albany High School JROTC is to prepare
high school students for leadership roles while making them aware of
their rights, responsibilities and privileges as American citizens; and
WHEREAS, Founded on October 6, 1953, the Albany District 369th Veter-
ans Association was established to support all patriotic endeavors of
the United States and to help prepare the youth of their local communi-
ties to become the capable leaders of the future; and
WHEREAS, Henry Johnson was born in North Carolina, and eventually
became a resident of Albany, New York; he worked various jobs in the
city before enlisting as a member of the United States Army on June 5,
1917; and
WHEREAS, Private Henry Johnson served as a member of an all-black
National Guard unit which would later become the 369th Infantry Regi-
ment; the regiment was ordered into battle in 1918, and he was brigaded
with a French Army Colonial unit in front-line combat; and
WHEREAS, On May 15, 1918, Henry Johnson and a fellow soldier were
subject to a surprise attack by a German raiding party consisting of at
least 12 soldiers; under intense enemy fire and despite receiving
significant wounds, Johnson mounted a brave retaliation resulting in
several enemy casualties; and
WHEREAS, Henry Johnson put himself in harm's way by advancing from his
position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat; displaying
great courage, he held back the enemy force until they retreated; subse-
quently, this valiant soldier was promoted to the esteemed rank of
sergeant; and
WHEREAS, The Albany District 369th Veterans Association and the Albany
High School JROTC have enacted this renaming to honor Sgt. Henry
Johnson's military accomplishments and his significance to the history
of World War I; 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, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Albany High School JROTC upon the occasion of partnering up
with the Albany District 369th Veterans Association in renaming their
program the Sgt. Henry Johnson Battalion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Albany High School JROTC, and the Albany District 369th
Veterans Association.