Senate Resolution No. 3071

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

HONORING Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta
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
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Specialist 5

Joseph Nicholas LaPorta 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; 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, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was born in Bronxville, New York,
on October 19, 1945, to the late Anthony and Vincenza (Vigliotti)
LaPorta, Jr.; in 1955, the family moved to Copake, New York; eight years
later, Joseph graduated from Roeliff Jansen School in Hillsdale, New
York; and

WHEREAS, On November 4, 1965, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was drafted
into the United States Army; after the successful completion of basic
training, he was trained as a food service specialist; and

WHEREAS, Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was assigned to the
Service Battery, 1st Battalion 92nd Artillery; while assigned to this
position, his Military Occupational Specialty was changed and he was
charged with the maintenance of all the generators which provided
electricity to the compound; and

WHEREAS, In February of 1967, the 1/92nd Artillery was deployed to
Central Highlands, Vietnam, its primary area of operations; as a mobile
unit, it served as direct fire in support of military operations with
the 4th Infantry and the 173 Airborne Divisions; the Artillery moved 111
times in its first four months in the country; and

WHEREAS, After eight and a half months of Foreign Service,
Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta returned to the United States and
was honorable discharged on October 28, 1967; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Vietnam War,
Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was awarded the Vietnam Service
Medal, Vietnam Commendation Medal, Overseas Service Bar, National
Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Expert Rifle Badge; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta earned his degree in
electrical engineering from the College of Aeronautics, at LaGuardia
Airport in New York City; for two years, he worked for the Bell System
before returning to Copake, where he established his own business,
Copake Electric; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was the
Commander of the Hillsdale VFW, a founding member of the Copake VFW,
Captain/Director of the Copake Community Rescue Squad, and a life member
of the Copake Fire Company; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta served as a Building
Inspector, volunteer umpire, Commissioner of Taconic Hills Storm
Football, Deputy Supervisor and member of the Town of Copake Board; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta died on April 18, 2016, at the age
of 70; he was survived by his wife, Charlene; two sons, Douglass and
Nicholas; six stepchildren, Linda, Scott, Kristen, Chuck, Amanda and
Rob; and 10 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Joseph Nicholas LaPorta demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore, the highest respect of his State and 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 Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta 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; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Joseph Nicholas LaPorta.