Bill Text: NY J00025 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending David R. Torncello Jr. posthumously for special recognition by Albany County at its Honor a Veteran Ceremony
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-01-15 - ADOPTED [J00025 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J00025-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 25 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMENDING David R. Torncello Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by Albany County at its Honor a Veteran Ceremony on January 7, 2019 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 peacetime, deserve a special salute; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend David R. Torncello Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by Albany County at its Honor a Veteran Ceremony on January 7, 2019, at the Watervliet Senior Center in Watervliet, New York; and WHEREAS, In June of 1993, a committee was formed by the Albany County Veterans Bureau, known as the Albany County Honor A Veteran Committee, created to honor a deceased Albany County veteran who served his country in time of conflict; the Honor A Veteran Program takes place on the first Monday of each month; and WHEREAS, For his courageous and dedicated service to his country, David R. Torncello Jr. will be recognized posthumously at this year's January Honor A Veteran Ceremony; and WHEREAS, David R. Torncello Jr. was born on March 8, 1926, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; he and his family relocated to Watervliet where he was a standout athlete at his high school; after graduation, he attended Siena College where he was a member of the baseball team and Captain of the basketball team; and WHEREAS, David R. Torncello Jr. proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy during World War II from March 6, 1944 through May 30, 1946; with the rank of Seaman First Class (S1C), he worked with Aviation Operations at Naval Air Station Alameda in California and onboard a ship patrolling the Atlantic Ocean between the United States mainland and Puerto Rico; and WHEREAS, For his bravery, this courageous soldier was awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, David R. Torncello Jr. returned to the Capital District where he worked for over 30 years as both an industrial engineer and Director of Human Relations for Allegheny Ludlum Steel; and WHEREAS, After his retirement, David R. Torncello Jr. accepted the position of Assistant General Manager for the City of Watervliet and served as an Albany County Legislator representing his hometown for two decades; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his fellow veterans and community, David R. Torncello Jr. was a vital member of the Watervliet Elks Lodge No. 1500 and Commander of Maplewood American Legion Post No. 1615; he was also a faithful parishioner of St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church and served on the Board of Directors of the Watervliet Civic Center; and WHEREAS, In addition, David R. Torncello Jr. was a high school and college basketball referee and a coach for youth basketball and baseball teams; in 1973, he was inducted into the Siena College Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2008, the Watervliet High School Athletic Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, David R. Torncello Jr. died on March 14, 2016, in Watervliet at the age of 90; 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, David R. Torncello Jr. 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 Country; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend David R. Torncello Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by Albany County at its Honor a Veteran Ceremony on January 7, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of David R. Torncello Jr.