Bill Text: NY J00548 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Clarence W. Dart 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) 2023-03-15 - ADOPTED [J00548 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00548-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 548

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING  Clarence W. Dart 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 the citizenry of this great
State; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to  commend  Clarence
W.   Dart 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,  Clarence W. Dart was drafted in 1942, and entered the U.S.
Army Air Corps on August 27,  1942;  he  attended  the  Elmira  Aviation
Ground  School,  then  served as a member of the 332nd Fighter Group and
was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron in the 12th Air Force in North
Africa; and

  WHEREAS, As one of the now famous Tuskegee Airman flying P-40s  with
the  318th  Army  Air  Force  Unit  Squadron F, Clarence W. Dart flew 95
missions and was shot down twice; he later flew P-51s escorting 15th Air
Force bombers; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the occasion of his discharge from active duty at  the
rank of Captain on January 3, 1947, Clarence W. Dart went on to serve in
the NY Air National Guard and retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel; and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Clarence W.
Dart  was  awarded  two  Purple Hearts for injuries sustained during air
combat, the Air Medal,  Distinguished  Flying  Cross  with  4  Oak  Leaf
Clusters,  the  WWII  Victory Medal, and the American Defense Medal, the
NYS Conspicuous Service Cross, and the NYS Conspicuous Service Star; and

  WHEREAS, After his service,  Clarence  W.  Dart  attended  the  Aero
Industries  Tech Institute in California, GE Flight Test School, and was
affiliated with Knolls Atomic Power Lab from 1949-1987 where  he  was  a
Designing Draftsman; and

  WHEREAS,  Clarence  W. Dart's post-service honors include the Elmira
Free Academy Wall of Fame and 43rd Senate District's inductee  into  the
New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame; and

  WHEREAS,  In  March  of  2007,  Clarence W. Dart and fellow Tuskegee
Airmen were also recognized at the U.S. Capitol with  the  Congressional
Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor that Congress may bestow; and

  WHEREAS, Clarence W. Dart was a noted guest speaker on Black history
at  various  local schools, colleges and universities, and his community
service included the  Charlton  School  for  Girls  Trustee  Board,  the
Salvation  Army  Board,  Niagara  Mohawk Power Corp. Community Relations
Board, New York State Air Museum  AIM  High  Program,  and  the  finance
committees  of  both  the Troy Conference of the United Methodist Church
and the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church,  of  which  he  was  a
devoted member; and

  WHEREAS,  Clarence  W. Dart died on February 17, 2012, at the age of
91; 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,
Clarence W. Dart 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  Clarence  W.  Dart  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 Clarence W. Dart.