Bill Text: NY J03058 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 3058 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending James J. Connell, Jr. posthumously for special recognition by Rensselaer County at its Honor a Deceased Veteran Ceremony on May 11, 2020

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-31 - ADOPTED [J03058 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J03058-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 3058

BY: Senator BRESLIN

        COMMENDING James J. Connell, Jr. posthumously upon
        the   occasion   of   his  designation  for  special
        recognition by Rensselaer  County  at  its  Honor  a
        Deceased Veteran Ceremony on May 11, 2020

  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; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend  James  J.
Connell,  Jr.  posthumously  upon  the  occasion  of his designation for
special recognition by Rensselaer County at its Honor a Deceased Veteran
Ceremony to be celebrated on Monday, May 11, 2020; 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 for special recognition by Rensselaer County at its Honor  a
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on May 11, 2020; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of James J. Connell, Jr.