J2239

Senate Resolution No. 2239

BY: Senator JORDAN

COMMENDING Irving P. Siegel 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, 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 commend Irving P.
Siegel 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, to be presented on Monday, November 25, 2019, at
the Columbia County Honor a Veteran Ceremony; 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, Irving Philip "Phil" Siegel was born to Sam and Cecelia
(Sasnowitz) Siegel on December 3, 1921, in New York City; after
graduating from the Hudson City School District, he attended both UCLA
at Berkley and New York University; and

WHEREAS, Irving P. Siegel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
on May 12, 1942, in Albany, New York; he completed basic training at
Parris Island, South Carolina, before being trained as an aircraft
mechanic; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Irving P. Siegel proudly served his
country as a member of the Marine Fighting Squadron 422 (VMF 422) in the
Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II; the VMF 422 was a
Vought F4U Corsair squadron, known as the "Flying Buccaneers," and was a
part of the campaigns of Kwajalein and Eniwetok; and

WHEREAS, During his deployment on the island of Engebi, Private
First Class Irving P. Siegel sustained serious injury to his lower leg
when his unit was attacked by enemy aircraft; two days later, he was
flown to the Hawaiian islands where he received necessary medical
attention; and

WHEREAS, After extensive rehabilitation, Private First Class Irving
P. Siegel was honorably discharged on December 13, 1944, at Mare Island
Navy Yard, California; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous and dedicated service to his country
during the Second World War, Irving P. Siegel was awarded a Purple Heart
and Presidential Unit Citation; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Irving P.
Siegel returned to his hometown of Hudson, New York; he married the

former Eileen Velda Bellock on June 30, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, and
together they raised two children, Alan and Jonathan; and

WHEREAS, A self-employed businessman for nearly four decades, Irving
P. Siegel enjoyed a long and successful career as a self-employed
businessman, officially retiring from Sam Siegel and Sons, Inc.; in his
much deserved retirement, he continued to lead an active lifestyle,
whether it was traveling, bowling, golfing or spending time with his
beloved family, especially his grandson, Sam; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Irving P. Siegel was a member of Congregation Anshe Emeth,
B'Nai B'rith, VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Hudson
Elks Lodge No. 787, Washington Hose Fire Company, AARP and Winding
Brook Country Club; and

WHEREAS, Irving P. Siegel died on November 23, 2006, at the age of
84; he was interned with full military honors at Cedar Park Cemetery in
Hudson by a Marine Corps Color Guard; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Irving P. Siegel 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
commend Irving P. Siegel 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 Irving P. Siegel.

J2238

Senate Resolution No. 2238

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMENDING Theresa Jo Belkota upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the
highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Theresa Jo Belkota upon the occasion of her 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, On the evening of June 1, 2018, Theresa Jo Belkota arrived
home from work and heard screaming coming from her neighbors back yard;
her neighbor, who was mowing his lawn with a ride on tractor,
accidentally backed over the foot of his 10 year-old son; Theresa
immediately ran over to help; and

WHEREAS, Responding without hesitation, Theresa Jo Belkota assessed
the situation and quickly removed her shirt, using it as a tourniquet on
the child's bleeding leg, while his mother called 911; and

WHEREAS, Due to Theresa Jo Belkotas' astute actions, doctors expect
the young boy to make a complete recovery; and

WHEREAS, Theresa Jo Belkota, in her spontaneous and heroic act, has
so aptly demonstrated her character and compassion for the welfare of
others, personifying, by virtue of her action, the collective concern of
ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond without thought of danger or reward when others are in need of
help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Theresa Jo Belkota upon the occasion of her 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 Theresa Jo Belkota.

J2237

Senate Resolution No. 2237

BY: Senator SKOUFIS

COMMENDING Highway Superintendent John Alonge,
Harry Freeborn, Don Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and
Police Chief Gerald Cocozzan upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don
Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients 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, On July 10, 2019, in the Town of Marlborough, New York, a
fuel truck overturned, blocking two of the four lanes of Route 9W and
trapping the driver inside; luckily the accident took place in front of
the Town of Marlborough Highway Department and without hesitation,
Highway Superintendent John Alonge, as well as employees Harry Freeborn,
Gary Lazaroff, and Don Fredericks sprang into action; and

WHEREAS, As Police Chief Gerald Cocozza came on the scene; the
highway department was able to use the front end loader to position
Chief Cocozza where he could extricate the trapped driver; immediately
following, the alert team of highway department workers set to work
dumping sand to create a dike to contain the leaking fuel and protect
the adjacent waterway; and

WHEREAS, At any moment, the very real danger of an explosive event
threatened the first responders, and thanks to their selfless response
and quick-thinking, a serious catastrophe was averted; and

WHEREAS, Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don
Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza, in their
spontaneous and heroic act, have so aptly demonstrated the character and
compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of their
action, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community
of New York State who voluntarily respond without thought of danger or
reward when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don

Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the
highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don
Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza.

J2232

Senate Resolution No. 2232

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Willow Harris upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Marsha P. Johnson
Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
profound impact of those exemplary individuals within the great State of
New York who proactively work for the enfranchisement of minority
communities, and the importance of such work for the benefit of all
citizens of this State, and indeed, all citizens of the Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Willow Harris upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Marsha P. Johnson Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region to be
celebrated at its Annual Gala on Friday, November 8, 2019, at Franklin
Plaza, Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious event benefits the Pride Center of the
Capital Region and celebrates the important contributions of individuals
who work hard to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community; Willow Harris is one such
individual; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Willow Harris became active with the Pride Center of the
Capital Region in the early 1990s as a volunteer at the Center Coffee
House and attending the Bi Brunches; and

WHEREAS, Willow Harris began attending the Center's Trans Pride
group in 2017, and one year later became its facilitator; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Willow Harris, the
Pride Center's Trans Pride group has grown to become one of the
organization's most well attended groups; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Pride Center of the Capital Region is in
direct correlation to the efforts of volunteers like Willow Harris,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts
of individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life
for others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all;
and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Willow Harris upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Marsha P. Johnson Award by the Pride Center of the Capital Region;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Willow Harris.