LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 12, 2016, as Women Veterans Recognition Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, Sixty-eight 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 ensured 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, Women make up nearly 15% of today's active duty military;
19.5% 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 in our military including during wartime since this nation was
founded; and
WHEREAS, Women 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, Operation Inherent Resolve and the Global War on
Terrorism; and
WHEREAS, Among the Armed Forces, there are over 66,000 women veterans
in the United States military from the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 14 years there have been over 650 women wounded
in war and approximately 137 women who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and
Kuwait lost their lives in war; and
WHEREAS, Women have served this country in uniform, whether veterans
of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the current Global War on
Terrorism 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, The first woman to serve aboard a Navy fast-attack submarine
reported to duty on the USS Minnesota in January 2015; and
WHEREAS, Women are projected to make-up close to 18% of the total
United States veteran population by 2040; and
WHEREAS, A woman first rose to the rank of a four-star general in
2008, now retired General Ann Dunwoody who lead the U.S. Army Materiel
Command; she was followed by three other females with the rank of four

stars, including General Ellen M. Pawlikowski, Commander of Air Force
Materiel Command, Navy Admiral Michelle Howard, who is the Vice Chief of
Naval Operations and Air Force General Lori Robinson became the mili-
tary's first female Combatant Commander on Friday, May 13, 2016, when
she assumed responsibility for U.S. Northern Command and North American
Aerospace Defense; and
WHEREAS, In a recent survey conducted by the Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America, Inc. only 15% of the respondents believe the Ameri-
can people understand the contributions of military women; 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 commemorate the 68th 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, Sunday June 12, 2016 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 trans-
mitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and Colonel Eric J. Hesse, (Ret.), Director of the New York State
Division of Veterans Affairs.