Bill Text: NY K00035 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourning the death of Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and Daniel Prial
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 42-21)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-01 - adopted [K00035 Detail]
Download: New_York-2021-K00035-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 35 BY: M. of A. Bronson MOURNING the death of Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and Daniel Prial, distinguished citizens and devoted members of their communities WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body, representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to pay tribute to Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and Daniel Prial; and WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and Daniel Prial were killed in an aircraft crash during a military training exercise on Wednesday, January 20, 2021; and WHEREAS, A resident of Rochester, New York, Chief Warrant Officer Steven Skoda, age 54, was a 35-year veteran of the United States Army and the Army National Guard; he served in the Afghanistan War in two deployments, 2013 and 2019; and WHEREAS, For his admirable service, Chief Warrant Officer Steven Skoda was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, a Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Department of State Superior Honor Award, Humanitarian Service Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation; and WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Steven Skoda was a friend and mentor to all the soldiers in his unit, supporting the training and career progressions of hundreds of aircrews throughout his career; and WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Christian Koch, age 39, a resident of Honeoye Falls, New York, was a 20-year veteran of the National Guard, as well as a pilot with the New York State Police aviation unit; and WHEREAS, A veteran of the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War, Chief Warrant Officer Christian Koch's awards include the Air Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Forces Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Citation, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, an Army Parachutist Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Christian Koch will be remembered for his motivation and infectious personality, two outstanding qualities which made him a great soldier, leader and father; and WHEREAS, A resident of Rochester, New York, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Prial, age 30, was a member of the National Guard for one year; a West Point Military Academy graduate, he served in the United States Army since 2012; and WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Prial was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge; and WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Prial will be remembered for having the ability to fit in quickly and make an immediate impact on new groups; and WHEREAS, All three soldiers embodied what our country stands for and were leaders and mentors in both their jobs and in their communities; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body mourns the loss of three of our New York Army National Guards, all members of the C Company of the 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion; they bravely served the United States and this great Empire State, and lost their lives defending our freedoms; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and Daniel Prial, and to express its deepest condolences to their families; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the families of Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and Daniel Prial.