Bill Text: NY J01409 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Frank Romeo upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-14 - ADOPTED [J01409 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01409-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1409

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

        COMMENDING  Frank  Romeo  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,  Individuals  and projects devoted to improving the quality
of life for  others,  enabling  them  to  build  lives  of  dignity  and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

  WHEREAS, Frank Romeo has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special recognition; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to commend Frank
Romeo 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

  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  March  1,  2019,  as  he celebrated his 70th birthday,
veteran Frank Romeo began a 750 mile trek across the State of New  York;
and

  WHEREAS,  Walk  With  Frank is a not-for-profit corporation with the
mission of utilizing a variety of media and initiatives to  educate  the
public  about  the  devastating impact of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) on military veterans in particular and society in general; and

  WHEREAS, Starting in the Western Tier of New York State, Frank Romeo
will continue through the Southern and Northern Tiers, concluding in the
Eastern Tier on June 1, 2019; and

  WHEREAS, As one of the longest living survivors diagnosed with  100%
PTSD  related disabilities, Frank Romeo's determination will serve as an
inspiration for all veterans struggling with this condition; and

  WHEREAS, On his journey, Frank Romeo will live in homeless shelters,
eat in soup kitchens, and visit organizations frequented by veterans; he
plans to live the life of our most fragile members of society, veterans;
and

  WHEREAS, Veteran organizations, business people, political  leaders,
and  the  general  public  can get on and off the trail at any point and
walk with Frank Romeo in support; he will also document the  stories  of
veterans  displaced  by  PTSD;  these  narratives will be the basis of a
documentary film; and

  WHEREAS, In their own words, veterans will have the  opportunity  to
share their experiences, their struggles, and their shattered dreams; as

their narratives are woven together, along with commentary by experts in
the  PTSD  field,  the documentary film will not only build awareness of
the crisis, but also shine a light on how to move forward in saving  the
lives and dignity of so many veterans; and

  WHEREAS,  This  project  will benefit many lives and possibly change
the way America looks at our homeless problem by attempting to  alter  a
mentality  that  is  archaic  and out of touch with a socially crippling
disease; and

  WHEREAS, As one of the longest living veterans diagnosed  with  100%
PTSD  related disabilities, the cause and effect of this disease has not
only consumed Frank Romeo's life but also fueled his work; and

  WHEREAS, Frank Romeo's program "The Art of War" has traveled  around
the  country  in  a  spirit  of  truth,  healing, and understanding post
trauma; in the last 30 years, he has traveled many miles and has reached
tens of thousands of people touched by its amazement; and

  WHEREAS, The dedication and sacrifices  of  our  military  personnel
ensure  our  continued  role  as  a  Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and is a defender  of  liberty  for  peoples  throughout  the
world; and

  WHEREAS,  Rare  indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which  Frank  Romeo  has  displayed
throughout his life; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are  brought  to  our
attention,  they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commend Frank Romeo 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 Frank Romeo.