Bill Text: NY J02715 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Commending Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., 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: (Introduced) 2024-07-22 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J02715 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02715-Introduced.html

---

Senate Resolution No. 2715

BY: Senator HINCHEY

        COMMENDING Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr.,
        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  Sergeant
Cornelius  Richard  Rogers,  Jr.,  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,  Cornelius  Richard  "Sonny"  Rogers,  Jr.,  was  born   to
Cornelius   R.    and  Bertha  (Bartlow)  Rogers  in  Great  Barrington,
Massachusetts, on December 22, 1949; he  was  raised  in  Philmont,  New
York, attending schools in the Ockawamick Central School District; and

  WHEREAS, On January 9, 1969, Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., enlisted
in  the  United  States  Air  Force  in  Albany,  New York; his training
commenced at  Lackland  Air  Force  Base  in  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and
additional  training  for  aircraft  mechanics  occurred at Sheppard Air
Force Base, also in Texas; and

  WHEREAS, Sergeant (E-4) Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., was  assigned
to  the  49th  Tactical  Fighter Wing, which was deployed to Thailand in
Southeast Asia, for four months during the Vietnam War  after  which  he
was  stationed with the same unit in Germany where he earned his General
Education Diploma (GED); at Holloman Air Force Base in  New  Mexico,  he
was honorably discharged from duty; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  courageous  service,  Sergeant Cornelius Richard
Rogers, Jr., was awarded the Air Force Service Medal, Air Force Campaign
Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal;
and

  WHEREAS, Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., married Irene Miller on  May
23,  2021,  in  Livingston,  New  York;  during his career, he worked in
maintenance for the Columbia County Department of Public Works prior  to
his  employment  as  a  toll  collector  for  the New York State Thruway
Authority from which he retired; and

  WHEREAS, Active in his community, Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., was
a lifetime member of the Ghent VFW Post No. 5933, Past Commander of  the

Copake  VFW  Post No. 7955, Second Vice Commander of the Hudson American
Legion Post No. 184, and a lifetime member of the DAV Chapter 150; and

  WHEREAS,  Watching  his grandchildren participate in sports, fishing
in Saratoga and Lake George, and attending family barbecues were just  a
few   pleasures  Cornelius  Richard  Rogers,  Jr.,  enjoyed  during  his
retirement; and

  WHEREAS, Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr., died on February  18,  2023,
at  the  age  of  73;  he  is  survived  by his lovely wife, Irene; five
stepchildren; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren;  all  who
count  themselves  fortunate  to  have  shared their lives with him will
deeply miss his warm disposition; 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,
Sergeant  Cornelius  Richard  Rogers, Jr., 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 Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr.,  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 Sergeant Cornelius Richard Rogers, Jr.