Bill Text: NY J01433 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller 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 (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - ADOPTED [J01433 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01433-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1433

BY: Senator HINCHEY

        COMMENDING Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller
        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 esteemed Body; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly  proud  to  commend  Seaman
First  Class  Gerard Thomas Miller 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

  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, Gerard Thomas  Miller  was  born  to  Stanton  William  and
Josephine  Marie  Miller  in  Hudson,  New  York, on October 9, 1927; he
attended St.  Mary's Academy in Hudson after which he  enlisted  in  the
United  States  Navy  in  Albany,  New  York,  on July 3, 1945; upon the
completion of 10 weeks of boot training in Sampson,  New  York,  he  was
temporarily stationed in San Diego, California; and

  WHEREAS,  Assigned  to  the USS Heermann, a Fletcher-class destroyer
that was commissioned to a  duty  station  in  the  Pacific  Theater  of
Operations,  Seaman First Class Gerard T. Miller remained on board until
July 6, 1946, when the destroyer was decommissioned; he was assigned  to
the  USS  Boyd, another Fletcher-class destroyer, until he was honorably
discharged on August 10, 1946, at Lido Beach, Long Island, New York; and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service  during  World  War  II,  Seaman
First  Class  Gerard  T.  Miller was awarded the American Theater Medal,
Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and a  Letter
of Commendation; and

  WHEREAS,  Subsequent  to  returning home, Gerard T. Miller completed
his studies and graduated from Hudson High School; he  was  employed  by
Bell Telephone Company, the New York State Police, and Columbia Memorial
Hospital  in  addition  to  substitute teaching; he also met and married
Cynthia Magyar; and

  WHEREAS, Active in his community, Gerard  Thomas  Miller  served  as
Commander of the local American Legion and was a member of the Greenport
Fire  Department  and  the USS Heermann (DD 532) Association; he enjoyed
singing as a baritone in a local barbershop quartet  called  The  Master
Blend which entered competitions and won several national honors; and

  WHEREAS,  Gerard  Thomas Miller died on June 21, 2016, at the age of
89, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts; 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 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,
Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller 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  Seaman  First  Class Gerard Thomas Miller 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 Seaman First Class Gerard Thomas Miller.