Bill Text: NY J00738 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 8, 2019, as USS Liberty Day in the State of New York
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-15 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J00738 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J00738-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 738 BY: Senator HELMING MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 8, 2019, as USS Liberty Day in the State of New York 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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 8, 2019, as USS Liberty Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, On June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty and her crew of 294, including three civilians, was operating in international waters; and WHEREAS, In an unprovoked attack by Israeli war planes and torpedo boats resulted in the death of 34 Americans including five from New York and the wounding of 174 others; and WHEREAS, After sending out distress calls stating the ship was under attack and required immediate assistance, the attack continued for approximately 22 minutes involving 30 to 35 sorties; following the air attack, three Israeli motor torpedo boats fired five torpedoes, one of which struck USS Liberty on the starboard side resulting in the deaths of 25 of the 34 men killed; and WHEREAS, The crew of the USS Liberty fought valiantly to overcome the battle damage that included severe structural damage, and save their ship, often placing themselves in extremely hazardous situations in total disregard for their personal safety finally succeeding to reach port; and WHEREAS, Due to the sensitive nature of the USS Liberty's equipment and documents, crew members were still reeling from the attack, with some who suffered wounds during the attack were tasked with entering the severely damaged area and recovering the bodies and body parts of their fellow shipmates; and WHEREAS, Having suffered through the attack and subsequent recovery, the crew was informed that under penalty of arrest, fines and imprisonment, they were forbidden to speak about the incident which further compounded the effects of post-traumatic stress; and WHEREAS, Because of unsupported statements by some U.S. government officials that the attack was accidental, the USS Liberty survivors have been vilified in some quarters for over 50 years because they refuse to be part of the government's cover-up; and WHEREAS, The USS Liberty is the most decorated Navy ship for a single engagement; to wit, Captain William McGonagle received the Medal of Honor, and the crew received 2 Navy Crosses; 12 Silver Stars; 26 Bronze Stars; 208 Purple Hearts; 9 Navy Commendation Medals; the Combat Action Ribbon; the Presidential Unit Citation; and more; and WHEREAS, At its national convention in 2017, the American Legion adopted Resolution 40 calling upon the United States Congress "to publicly, impartially, and thoroughly investigate the attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath; and WHEREAS, No memorial befitting the heroic actions of the crew of the USS Liberty has been established due in part to the incident being shrouded in controversy; 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 memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 8, 2019, as USS Liberty Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.