Bill Text: NY J02945 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending James J. Connell, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-10 - ADOPTED [J02945 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02945-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2945

BY: Senator JORDAN

        COMMENDING James J. Connell, 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 Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend  James  J.
Connell,  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, James Joseph Connell, Jr. was born to Alice  (Merhige)  and
James  Joseph  Connell,  Sr.  on  October 28, 1951, in Albany, New York;
after he and his family moved to East Greenbush, New York, he  graduated
from  Columbia  High  School  in  1971;  later,  he earned his degree in
journalism and photography from SUNY Morrisville in May of 1974; and

  WHEREAS, James J. Connell, Jr. enlisted in the United States Marines
on October 3, 1971, and proudly served his country as a rifleman for six
years; and

  WHEREAS, For his meritorious service,  James  J.  Connell,  Jr.  was
awarded six commendations for exemplary service; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  the  completion of his active duty service, James J.
Connell, Jr. worked as a freelance photo  journalist  for  most  of  his
career,  contributing  to  many  Capital District newspapers such as the
Glens Falls Post Star and the Amsterdam Recorder; during the  mid-1980s,
he  was  the  managing  editor  for  the Albany Colonie Yankees' monthly
publication; and

  WHEREAS, From 1981-2000, James J. Connell, Jr.  worked  as  a  photo
journalist with the New York State Air National Guard, retiring with the
rank  of  Staff Sergeant after 19 years of service; during this time, he
also worked for the New  York  State  Division  of  Military  and  Naval
Affairs for 15 years; and

  WHEREAS, Never one to sit idle, James J. Connell, Jr. drove a school
bus  for  the  City  of  Rensselaer  for more than three years, and most
recently, he was a third base usher for  the  Philadelphia  Phillies  at
their spring training site in Clearwater, Florida; and

  WHEREAS,  As  an extension of his military career, James J. Connell,
Jr. was also a lifelong Civil War enthusiast, historian, re-enactor with

the 125th C Company, and author of  a  book  entitled  A  Lonely  Battle
Stance; and

  WHEREAS, James J. Connell, Jr. also enjoyed watching and rooting for
the New York Yankees, and loved to spend time with his wife of 45 years,
the  former  Gail  E.  Harwood;  his two sons, Christopher (Shannon) and
James  J.    IV  (Felicia);  two  daughters,  Dena  (Ian)  and  Michelle
(Patrick);  and  his  12  cherished  grandchildren,  Karlina,  Cheyenne,
Damian, Savannah,  Breanna,  Angelina,  Alyssa,  Kiley,  Olivia,  Logan,
Abigail,  and  Casey; as his children were growing up, James J. Connell,
Jr. could often be found coaching  them  on  the  baseball  or  softball
diamond; and

  WHEREAS,  James J. Connell, Jr. died on July 23, 2019, at the age of
67; and

  WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
James  J.  Connell, 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 James J. Connell, 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 James J. Connell, Jr.