Bill Text: NY J00682 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Robert E. Barss posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-14 - ADOPTED [J00682 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00682-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 682

BY: Senator KAMINSKY

        COMMENDING  Robert  E. Barss 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 peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS,  This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Robert E.
Barss 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 at the Saratoga  County  Honor  A
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on Tuesday, March 19, 2019; 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, Robert E. Barss was born on December 20, 1922, at his  home
in Greenfield Center to Charles and Carrie Barss; one of eight children,
he graduated from Saratoga Springs High School; and

  WHEREAS,  Robert  E.  Barss  entered  into the United States Army on
January 16, 1943; he served with the 225th  AAA  Searchlight  Battalion,
better known as the "Skylighters" as a Radio Operator; and

  WHEREAS,  Just  before  January  1, 1944, Robert E. Barss arrived in
England and became part of the antiaircraft defense;  in  June  of  that
same  year, the Skylighters landed on Omaha Beach and formed part of the
defense of Normandy; from there, they  were  attached  to  the  9th  Air
Forces' 422nd and 425th Night Fighter Squadrons where they had a role in
downing over 36 enemy planes and V-1 Buzz bombs; and

  WHEREAS,  The battalions 36 GE Searchlights were used to put up over
4,000 light canopies that saved countless  planes,  as  well  as  saving
countless  civilian  lives  by  deflecting enemy planes by blinding them
with their lights; and

  WHEREAS, Following the surrender of Japan, the Unit was disbanded in
December of 1945; Robert E. Barss was discharged on December  16,  1945,
with  the  rank  of  T-5,  having  served  in  Central Europe, Normandy,
Northern France and Rhineland; and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the World War II,  Robert
E.  Barss was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal,
the Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  the  completion  of  his military service, Robert E.
Barss married the former Ruth Nowhitney on June 23, 1951,  and  together
they had seven children; and


  WHEREAS,  An  avid  outdoorsman,  Robert  E. Barss loved sharing his
skills and the love of nature with his children and  grandchildren;  for
many years, he served as a 4-H Club Leader; and

  WHEREAS,  Robert  E.  Barss worked in manufacturing and retired from
the Cottrell Paper Company; he was  also  the  caretaker  of  the  North
Milton Cemetery; and

  WHEREAS,  Robert  E. Barss died on September 24, 2015, at the age of
92; 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,
Robert E. Barss  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   Robert   E.  Barss  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 Robert E. Barss.