LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim New York State as a Purple Heart State

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in our nation's wars, as well as
in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from
this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, Veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their
families and communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the
good of all; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Purple Heart Medal is the oldest military deco-
ration in the world, and is awarded in the name of the President of the
United States to members of the United States military who have been
wounded or killed in action; and
WHEREAS, On August 7, 1782, during the American Revolution, General
George Washington issued an order establishing the Badge of Military
Merit to honor merit, particularly among the enlisted soldiers; consist-
ing of a heart made of purple cloth, the Badge of Military Merit was
distinctive because it was open only to enlisted men; and
WHEREAS, Although not continued after the American Revolution, the
Badge of Military Merit was later renamed the Purple Heart and rein-
stated by the United States War Department, now the Department of
Defense, on February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of George
Washington's birth; and
WHEREAS, The Purple Heart has been awarded to nearly two million Amer-
icans who have been wounded in battle or killed in action; and
WHEREAS, Many citizens of the State of New York have earned the Purple
Heart Medal as a result of having been wounded while engaged in combat
with an enemy force, which is recognized as a singularly meritorious act
of essential service; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated on August 6, 2004, the New York State Purple Heart
Memorial located in Albany, New York, honors New Yorkers who have been
awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the oldest military decoration in the
world; and
WHEREAS, The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, located in New Wind-
sor, New York, was dedicated on November 10, 2006; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Defense announced a standard which allows
for a more standard way to evaluate a wounded individual for a Purple
Heart resulting from a "non-penetrating wound"; on February 6, 2015, the
Department also proclaimed that eligibility has been extended to those
wounded or killed by certain kinds of domestic terrorist activities; and
WHEREAS, As Americans, it is our responsibility to ensure that our
history is documented and reverence is given to our war heroes who
served this great Nation; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military; it is fitting and
proper that we, who are the beneficiaries of the courage 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim New York State as a
Purple Heart State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; Colonel Eric J. Hesse (Retired), Director of the New York State

Division of Veterans' Affairs; and Commander Matthew Tully, the Military
Order of the Purple Heart, Department of New York.