Bill Text: NY J01302 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Phillip A. Elia posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-04-30 - ADOPTED [J01302 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J01302-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1302 BY: Senator KENNEDY COMMENDING Phillip A. Elia 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 Phillip A. Elia 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 to his family at an event on Thursday, April 25, 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, Phillip A. Elia was born to Sylvia and the late Anthony Elia on January 31, 1955, in Buffalo, New York; after graduating from Lafayette High School in 1973, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country as a hospital corpsman for four years; and WHEREAS, In 1978, Phillip A. Elia married the former Barbara Barry, and studied nursing at Canisius College while working as an aide at Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Lackawanna, New York; and WHEREAS, In 1985, Phillip A. Elia joined the Army National Guard as a medic and supply sergeant; he and his unit trained in Alaska where they lived in tents in subzero freezing temperatures; and WHEREAS, Upon his return to New York, Phillip A. Elia co-founded the WNY Maritime Charter School before his deployment to Iraq; and WHEREAS, On September 12, 2001, Master Sergeant Phillip A. Elia responded to Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks; for six weeks, he worked in various capacities including logistics and security; five years later, he retired from the Army National Guard; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service, Master Sergeant Phillip A. Elia was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Award and the Commander's Award for Public Service; and WHEREAS, Phillip A. Elia was the proud father of three children, Max, Marilyn and Brian, and the loving grandfather of two grandsons, Miles and Samuel; he was a member of the Wounded Warriors Project and enjoyed refinishing old furniture; 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, Phillip A. Elia 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 Phillip A. Elia 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 Phillip A. Elia.