Bill Text: NY J01414 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Alois A. Matousek 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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - ADOPTED [J01414 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01414-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1414

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING Alois A. Matousek 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  Alois  A.
Matousek  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  Honor  our  Deceased
Veterans  Ceremony  on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in Ballston Spa, New York;
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,  Born  on January 27, 1930, Alois A. Matousek was raised in
Schenectady, New York by his parents, Louis and Lillian Matousek; and

  WHEREAS, After graduating from Mount Pleasant High School  in  1947,
Alois  A.  Matousek met and married the love of his life, Arline Strong,
and worked for the Schenectady Varnish Company; and

  WHEREAS, Entering the United States Army on January 15, 1953,  Alois
A.    Matousek  was  a  member  of  the  Company  B, 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment; stationed at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada, he  took  part  in  the
atomic maneuvers held there; and

  WHEREAS, Courageously serving his country to prevent disaster, Alois
A.    Matousek's  unit  was  tasked  with participation onsite in a test
involving the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device; this  involved
enduring  an  atomic blast from a distance and conducting maneuvers into
"Ground Zero" of the blast area after the detonation; and

  WHEREAS, After becoming exposed  to  radiation,  Alois  A.  Matousek
would  later  endure  Lymphoma;  along  with his fellow soldiers, he was
covered under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, legislation which
served as an example to future exposure related  benefits  for  Veterans
and families; and

  WHEREAS,  As  a  testament to his valiant service, Alois A. Matousek
was awarded the National Defense Service  Medal  and  the  Good  Conduct
Medal; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  his honorable discharge from the rank of Corporal on
January 14, 1955, Alois A. Matousek then went on to serve 8 years in the
New York National Guard; and


  WHEREAS,  Continuing  his  devoted  work  ethic,  Alois  A. Matousek
returned to the Schenectady Varnish Company and retired after  44  years
as  the  Manager  of  Safety,  Security, and Fire protection for all the
plants; he served as the Town of Edinburg Town Assessor for 29 years, as
well as the Saratoga County Committee Man for several years; and

  WHEREAS, Active in his community, Alois A. Matousek was a member  of
the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, working his way up to be Grand
Master of New York State; he was also a trustee for the United Methodist
Church in Edinburg; and

  WHEREAS,  Alois  A. Matousek died on January 14, 2022, at the age of
91 years old; 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,
Alois A. Matousek 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  Alois  A.  Matousek  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 Alois A. Matousek.