Bill Text: NY J02179 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Ellen E. McKnight posthumously upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-01-14 - ADOPTED [J02179 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02179-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2179

BY: Senator JORDAN

        COMMENDING Ellen E. McKnight posthumously upon the
        occasion  of  her  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 Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend  Ellen  E.
McKnight  posthumously upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate, to be presented at the Rensselaer County Honor  a
Deceased Veteran Ceremony on December 9, 2019; 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 June 6, 1919, in Castleton-on-Hudson, Ellen was the
daughter of Herman F. Gietz and Katherine  Landmann  Gietz;  she  was  a
graduate  of  Castleton  High  School,  Class  of  1937,  and St. Luke's
Hospital School of Nursing in New York City; and

  WHEREAS, Ellen E. McKnight enlisted in the United States Army Nurses
Corps on October 1, 1941, and proudly served her  country  during  World
War II, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant; and

  WHEREAS,  For  her  meritorious  service,  Ellen E. McKnight was the
recipient of  the  Victory  Medal,  the  American  Campaign  Medal,  the
National Defense Ribbon and the Women's Army Corps Service Ribbon; and

  WHEREAS,  Ellen  E.  McKnight spent her illustrious career as an RN,
retiring as the school nurse at Maple Hill High School after many  years
of dedicated service; and

  WHEREAS,  Devoted  to her fellow veterans, Ellen E. McKnight was the
first female member of the Castleton VFW Post No. 7337; she was  also  a
communicant  of  Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of Castleton Study
Club and Castleton Seniors; and

  WHEREAS, Ellen E. McKnight died on October 27, 2017, at the  age  of
98; she is buried at Arlington National Cemetery; and

  WHEREAS,  Predeceased  by  her  first  husband,  Lieutenant Nevin W.
Shaak; her second husband,  Lieutenant  Colonel  James  D.  McKnight;  a
brother,  Harold (Rosalie); and a sister, Winifred, Ellen E. McKnight is
survived by her five sons,  David  (Darlene),  Douglas  (Sandra),  Colin
(David),   Stuart   (Dianne)   and   Donald   (Patricia);   her  beloved
grandchildren,  Erin  (Christopher),  Adam,  Emily   (Stephen),   Scott,
Matthew,  Nicholas, Ryan, Trevor, John (Lindsey) and Kristen (Kirk); her

cherished great-grandchildren, Landon, Ella and Finley; and two  nieces,
Kathy and Jan; 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 her patriotism both at  home  and  abroad,
Ellen  E.  McKnight  demonstrated  her  love  for her country and merits
forevermore, the highest respect of her 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  Ellen  E.  McKnight  posthumously  upon  the  occasion  of  her
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 Ellen E. McKnight.