Senate Resolution No. 849

BY: Senator AVELLA

COMMENDING the 77th Infantry Division Reserve
Officers Association, Inc. upon the occasion of
celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Division's
founding on August 18, 2017

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and
reverent esteem to pay tribute to the men and women who so courageously
and heroically serve and have served in the Armed Forces of the United
States; and

WHEREAS, Members and former 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 peacetime, deserve a special salute from this
Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the 77th Infantry Division Reserve Officers Association, Inc.
upon the occasion of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Division's
founding on Friday, August 18, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the year, a myriad of events and ceremonies will
be held to recognize not only the 100th Anniversary of the organization
of the 77th, but also the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the 77th
Infantry Division Reserve Officers Association, Inc. which was organized
as a New York not-for-profit corporation for the purposes of
perpetuating the history and traditions of the 77th Infantry Division
and promoting social ties among its members and veterans on April 7,
1958; and

WHEREAS, The regular membership of the Association currently
consists of officers and non-commissioned officers (E-5 and above) who
have served in the 77th Infantry Division or one or more of its
successor commands or units, from World War II up to the present time,
including members of the current 77th Sustainment Brigade and 1st
Battalion, 307th Regiment; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of President Colonel Louis
Sudholz, Jr., the 77th Infantry Division Reserve Association consists of
200 active members who reside in 19 states and two foreign countries;
the Association is comprised of troop units in those commands which
include combat, combat training, and combat service support units;
medical personnel, engineers, civil affairs, military police, military
intelligence, USAR schools, and the JAG; and

WHEREAS, The 77th Infantry Division, originally known as the
Metropolitan Division and later as the Statue of Liberty Division, was
first organized by New York area residents, at Camp Upton, New York, in
1917; and

WHEREAS, The 77th Infantry Division famously fought with valor in
both World War I and World War II, as well as in later conflicts; and


WHEREAS, From the beginning, Soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division
have worn the Statue of Liberty Patch, and it became a symbol,
recognized worldwide, of the particular contributions of New Yorkers to
the security of our country and its allies; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1957, the 77th Infantry Division Reserve
Officers Association was instrumental in renaming the Clearview
Expressway in Queens County to the U.S. Army 77th Infantry Division
Expressway in 2002, to honor the rich heritage of the Division and its
successor commands; and

WHEREAS, It is the hope of the Association to add images of the
historic Statue of Liberty Patch to the four road signs on the U.S. Army
77th Infantry Division Expressway; and

WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices of our military personnel
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and is a defender of liberty for peoples throughout the
world; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this
opportunity to express its gratitude to the men and women of the United
States Armed Forces for their tremendous sacrifices made for our Nation
and for the benefit of all Americans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the 77th Infantry Division Reserve Officers Association, Inc.
upon the occasion of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Division's
founding on August 18, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Colonel Louis Sudholz, Jr., President, 77th Infantry
Division Reserve Officers Association, Inc.