LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim Tuesday, March 29, 2016, as Vietnam Veterans' Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have so honorably served this State and Nation, deserve a special salute
from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, Every citizen of this great State and Nation is indebted to
those brave individuals who served their country during the Vietnam War;
and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the men and women who served with dignity
and honor during this historic time period, let us remember them and
thank them for their service; and
WHEREAS, Through more than a decade of combat, over air, land, and
sea, these proud Americans upheld the highest traditions of United
States Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, The Vietnam War was fought in the Republic of South Vietnam
from 1961 to 1975, and involved North Vietnamese regular forces and Viet
Cong guerrilla forces in armed conflict with the United States Armed
Forces and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, The United States Armed Forces became involved in Vietnam
because the United States Government wanted to provide direct military
support to the Government of Vietnam to defend itself against the grow-
ing Communist threat from North Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, members of the United States Armed Forces began
serving in an advisory role to the Government of the Republic of South
Vietnam; as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on August 2, and
August 4, 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public
Law 88-408), on August 7, 1964, which provided authority to the Presi-
dent of the United States to prosecute the war against North Vietnam;
and
WHEREAS, In 1965, the United States Armed Forces ground combat units
arrived in Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, More than three million servicemen and women left their fami-
lies to bravely serve a world away in places such as la Drang to Khe
Sanh, from Hue to Saigon, and countless villages in between; they pushed
through jungles and rice paddies, heat and monsoons, fighting to protect
the ideals we hold dear as Americans; and
WHEREAS, By the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United States troops in
Vietnam, and by 1969, a peak of approximately 543,000 troops were
reached; an estimated 150,000 New York soldiers served throughout the
War; and
WHEREAS, On January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was signed, requir-
ing the release of all United States prisoners-of-war held in North
Vietnam and the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces from South
Vietnam; two months later, the last 2,500 troops were withdrawn from
South Vietnam thus ending the United States' military involvement in the
Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, New York was the first state in the Nation to dedi-
cate a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Albany, New York, recognizing
members of the United States Armed Forces who died or were declared
missing-in-action in Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, Beginning on Memorial Day 2012, the federal government began
a partnership with local governments, private organizations and communi-
ties across the country to participate in the commemoration of the 50th
Anniversary of the Vietnam War, a 13-year program to honor and give

thanks to a generation of proud Americans who saw our country through
one of the most challenging times; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 90 of the Laws of 2008 designated March 29th of each
year as Vietnam Veterans' Day in the State of New York; the chapter
designates that date as a day of commemoration to honor those individ-
uals who sacrificed their lives for their country; and
WHEREAS, On May 25, 2012, President Barack Obama declared May 28,
2012, through November 11, 2025, as Commemoration of the 50th Anniver-
sary of the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, In addition, March 29, 2016, has been chosen by the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs to honor our Nation's Veterans;
the observance of Vietnam Veterans' Day on this day, is an appropriate
way to honor those members of the United States Armed Forces who served
in South Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War;
and
WHEREAS, The citizens of this great State and Nation, benefactors of
the sacrifices and courageous acts of the men and women who served and
continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces, remain indebted and
are justly proud of the Vietnam veterans from the State of New York;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the bravery, patriotism and sacrifice made by the men and
women of the United States Armed Forces, both those still living and
those who died in service to our great country; and to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Tuesday, March 29, 2016, as Vietnam
Veterans' Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to encourage the
people of the State of New York to observe Vietnam Veterans' Day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities that provide the appreciation
Vietnam War veterans deserve but did not receive upon returning home
from the war; demonstrate the resolve that never again shall the Nation
disregard and denigrate a generation of veterans; to promote awareness
of the faithful service and contributions of such veterans during their
military service as well as to their communities since returning home;
to promote awareness of all the importance of entire communities
empowering veterans and the families of veterans to readjust to civilian
life after military service; and to promote opportunities for such
veterans to assist younger veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan in rehabilitation from wounds, both seen and unseen, and to
support the reintegration of younger veterans into civilian life; and be
it further
.SO DOC A R1126 RESO TEXT 2015
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; John Rowan, President, Vietnam Veterans of America; Ned Foote,
President of the Vietnam Veterans of America New York State Council; and
Joseph Pollicino, President of Tri-County Council Vietnam Era Veterans.