Bill Text: NY J01439 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Bernard O. Shaw 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 [J01439 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01439-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1439

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING  Bernard  O. Shaw 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 peace time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Bernard O.
Shaw 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  Saratoga  County  Honor  a
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on Tuesday, December 19, 2023; 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, Bernard O. Shaw was born in Ballston Spa on March 25, 1920,
to Aubrey and Tressa; raised in Gansevoort,  he  was  the  oldest  of  5
children and attended South Glens Falls High School; and

  WHEREAS,  Prior  to  his  service, Bernard O. Shaw worked picking up
coal at the local train tracks, as well as delivering ice from  Bordon's
Milk Plant, and helping on his family's farm; and

  WHEREAS,  After  entering  in the United States Navy on December 11,
1941, Bernard O. Shaw proudly served his country during World War II  as
a  Machinist Mate working the engine rooms; he trained at Newport, Rhode
Island and was then shipped out to the Panama Canal Zone where he worked
at the Naval Air Station and Submarine Base at Coco Solo and Balboa;  he
was  later  assigned  to  the  USS  Wiley,  on  which  he  served in the
Philippines, China, and Okinawa; and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the conflict, Bernard  O.
Shaw  was  awarded  the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal,
the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the  Philippine  Liberation  Ribbon,
and the WWII Victory Medal; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  the  completion  of his military service on April 9,
1946, Bernard O.  Shaw  attended  four  years  of  agricultural  school,
traveling  to  different  farms  every Sunday to learn new tricks of the
trade; he formerly purchased  his  family's  farm  in  1944  during  his
military service; and

  WHEREAS,  Bernard O. Shaw, having lived a life of dedicated service,
was a volunteer firemen for Gansevoort; additionally, he was a member of
the Free Masons for 75 years, as well as the  United  Methodist  Church;
and

  WHEREAS,   This  esteemed  veteran  was  an  active  member  of  his
community, being a lifetime member of the Ragged Mountain Fish and  Game
Club, a Justice of the Peace for over 20 years, and was the Town Highway
Superintendent  for  8 years, where he served on several town committees
over the years; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1947,  Bernard O. Shaw married his beloved wife, Agnes
Ogden, to whom he was married for 71 cherished years before her  passing
in 2019; together, they had four beloved children; and

  WHEREAS,  Bernard  O.  Shaw  passed away on October 5, 2021, leaving
behind a lasting impact on all those he had the delight  of  getting  to
know; 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,
Bernard  O.  Shaw  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   Bernard   O.  Shaw  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 Bernard O. Shaw.