Bill Text: NY J01425 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending William J. Falk 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 [J01425 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-J01425-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1425 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING William J. Falk 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 the members of this State and Nation; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend William J. Falk 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, William J. Falk, one of four sons, was born on August 20, 1923, to parents, Norbert and Margaret, in Utica, New York; at the remarkable age of 100, he now resides in Clinton, New York; and WHEREAS, During World War II, William J. Falk served in the United States Army Signal Corps, 593rd Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion, in the European Theater of Operations (ETO); the Signal Aircraft Warning (SAW) Battalions were among the first in the United States Army to use RADAR in the war, providing tactical support to air command units that directed the Allies' fighters to their targets and bolstering front-line infantry; and WHEREAS, The 593rd Battalion landed in Naples, Italy, in March of 1944, providing support for the post-Anzio-related operations as well as the Rome-Arno Campaign with the United States Fifth Army; and WHEREAS, Later reassigned to the Seventh Army/VI (Sixth) Army Corps, William J. Falk, along with the battalion, landed on the beaches of France, marched across the country in November 1944, as part of the Allied countries' forces that resisted the German Ardennes Offensive, and later recaptured Strasbourg, France; and WHEREAS, With Germany's surrender in May of 1945, William J. Falk remained in Europe, preparing for his assignment to the Pacific; after almost three years in the European Theater, he finally returned home due to the surrender of Japan; and WHEREAS, A family of proud servicemen, William J. Falk's brothers also fought for the freedom of the world; the eldest, Sam, served in the United States Army in Alaska; Howard joined the Navy, serving in the Pacific fleet; Jack, the youngest, served in General George S. Patton's 89th Division; fortunately, all four siblings returned home; and WHEREAS, On September 6, 1947, William J. Falk married his beloved wife, Lucille; together they are the proud parents of two daughters, Janice and Martha, and three sons, Peter, Stephen, and Eric; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, William J. Falk 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 William J. Falk 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 William J. Falk.