Bill Text: NY J01981 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the James R. Hickey American Legion Post 120 of Palmyra, New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-14 - ADOPTED [J01981 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01981-Introduced.html

Senate Resolution No. 1981

BY: Senator HELMING

        COMMEMORATING  the  100th Anniversary of the James
        R. Hickey American Legion Post 120 of  Palmyra,  New
        York

  WHEREAS,  It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the  communities  across  New  York
State  are  reflective  of  the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
patriotic organizations and individuals who  devote  themselves  to  the
welfare of the community and its citizenry; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the James R. Hickey American Legion
Post 120 of Palmyra, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  The James R. Hickey American Legion Post 120's history can
be traced to the beginning of the American Legion, when a  group  of  20
officers  who  served  in  the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) in
France in World War I had an idea;  spurred  on  by  Lieutenant  Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., they proposed an organization of veterans; and

  WHEREAS,  In  February  of  1919,  this  group  formed  a  temporary
committee and selected several hundred officers who had  the  confidence
and respect of the whole army; the first organization meeting took place
in  Paris  in  March of 1919, when about 1,000 officers and enlisted men
attended, including a representative from Palmyra, Dr. C.C. Nesbitt; and

  WHEREAS, The American Legion is  a  community  service  organization
consisting  of  men and women representing nearly 15,000 American Legion
Posts worldwide; these posts are organized into 55 Departments, one  for
each  state,  the  District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and
the Philippines; Local Post 120 was also founded in 1919; and

  WHEREAS, James R. Hickey was the first Palmyra man to be  killed  in
action  in  World  War I, during a battle in the Vale Sector, France, on
August 23, 1918; another native son, Charles Beck was killed  in  action
while  Nelson  Harmon  and  George  Smith  are  reported to have died of
pneumonia; and

  WHEREAS, The American Legion Post of Palmyra changed its  name  from
Rear  Admiral  Sampson  Post  to  James  R. Hickey Post in July of 1921;
apparently, when the young veterans met to organize, they  used  Admiral
Sampson  as  a  temporary name since he was Palmyra's most famous son of
modern time, the "Hero of Manila Bay" from the Spanish American War; and

  WHEREAS, In March of 1926, James R. Hickey's body  was  returned  to
Palmyra, and was buried with full military honors by the James R. Hickey
American Legion Post; and

  WHEREAS,  The James R. Hickey Post Family consists of three separate
memberships: The Post (men and  women  veterans),  Auxiliary  Unit  120,
founded in the 1920s, (wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters, etc.) and

the Sons of the American Legion (sons, grandsons, etc.), was established
many years later; and

  WHEREAS,  The  focus  of the efforts of the James R. Hickey Post 120
Family are to ensure the Four Pillars of the American  Legion:  Veterans
Affairs  and  Rehabilitation,  Nation Security, Americanism and Children
and Youth, are always guiding their actions within the community; and

  WHEREAS, Members of the American Legion assist their fellow veterans
at VA hospitals and clinics, organize various commemorative events,  and
support  numerous  issues on behalf of interests of veterans and service
members, including benefits such as pensions  and  the  Veterans  Health
Administration; and

  WHEREAS,  Under  the luminous leadership of Commander David Borland,
American Legion Post 120  hosts  various  events  and  charities  aiding
veterans and families with the best care possible; and

  WHEREAS,  The  success  of  American  Legion  Post  120 is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its members,  whose  involvement  is,  and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm,   and  an  uncompromising  standard  of  excellence  in  all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

  WHEREAS, Today, American Legion Post 120 continues its dedication to
fostering the traditions of patriotism, excellence, and commitment which
have made our nation strong; it is the custom of this  Legislative  Body
to  recognize  the significance of their contributions and to note their
worthy endeavors which have earned the recognition and applause  of  all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the James R. Hickey American Legion
Post 120 of Palmyra, New York, and to  commend  its  members,  past  and
present, on behalf of a grateful community; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to David Borland, James R. Hickey American Legion Post 120.
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