Bill Text: NY J02104 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 2104

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending James A. Herring 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 (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-09 - ADOPTED [J02104 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02104-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 2104

BY: Senator HINCHEY

        COMMENDING  James A. Herring 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 esteemed Body; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body is justly proud to commend James A.
Herring 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, to be honored on Monday, April 22, 2024, by the
Columbia County VSA at their Honor a Vet  Program  where  his  daughter,
Vivian Herring, will be presented with a Liberty Medal; 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, Born on April 26, 1931, in Clinton, North  Carolina,  James
A.   Herring was raised by Clearance and Naomi Herring; in June of 1949,
he graduated from high school in Roseboro, New  York  and  worked  as  a
bridge foreman prior to his military service; and

  WHEREAS,  On  May  22,  1951,  James A. Herring was induced into the
United States Army at Fort Bragg,  North  Carolina;  after  his  initial
training,  he received the title Private First-Class and was assigned to
Headquarters & Service Company, 34th Engineering  C  Battalion  in  Fort
Lewis, Washington, with an (MOS1729) Antitank mine platoon; and

  WHEREAS,  For his courageous service, James A. Herring was honorably
discharged  on  May  21,  1953,  at  Reception  Center  in  Fort  Lewis,
Washington; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon returning home, James A. Herring met and married Mary
A.  Davis in Clinton, North Carolina in 1953; moving  to  Catskill,  New
York,  he  was  employed  in the area as the first Black barber at Moses
Taylor Barber Shop and also worked as a driver/laborer for the New  York
State Department of Transportation during his retirement; and

  WHEREAS,  Active  in  his  community, James A. Herring, known by his
friends as Watash, was a lifetime member of the  Hudson  Shiloh  Baptist
Church,  serving  on  the  Senior  Usher  Board, Trustee Ministry, Men's
Network, and Men's Choir; he also served as a  lifetime  member  of  the
masonic Mt. Zion Lodge No. 46, where he held a myriad of roles; and

  WHEREAS, James A. Herring died on October 4, 2022, at the age of 91;
he  was buried amidst his loved ones in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson, New
York; and

  WHEREAS, James A. Herring is survived by  three  daughters,  Vivian,
Jackie, and Latonia, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren;
sadly, he was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and daughter, Carolyn; 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,
James  A.  Herring  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  A.  Herring  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 A. Herring.