Bill Text: NY J02294 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Lawrence A. Dwon 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: (Introduced) 2024-04-24 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J02294 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02294-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2294

BY: Senator HINCHEY

        COMMENDING  Lawrence A. Dwon 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 Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Lawrence
A. Dwon 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, Born on May 20, 1945, to Larry and Mary Dwon  in  New  York
City, Lawrence A. Dwon proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corp
on  March  1,  1966; he valiantly served overseas in Vietnam in 1967 and
earned the rank of Corporal; and

  WHEREAS, For his courageous service as a Rifle Marksman  during  the
Vietnam  War,  Lawrence A. Dwon was awarded the National Defense Service
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with  one  bronze  star,  Vietnam  Campaign
Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon; and

  WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service on February 29,
1968, Lawrence A. Dwon attended Utah State University, graduating with a
bachelor's degree in fine arts in 1973; he married the love of his life,
Christine, on May 17, 1975, and the couple moved to West Kill, New York,
in 1985; and

  WHEREAS,  Lawrence  A. Dwon was a professional photographer, working
in freelance as well as for a commercial design  firm;  he  also  taught
photography for many years; and

  WHEREAS,  In addition to being self-employed in Greene County for 20
years with a successful lawn  maintenance  business,  Lawrence  A.  Dwon
managed  Hunter  Mountain  Ski  Shop  and Snow Bird Ski Shops during the
winter months; and

  WHEREAS, A man of indomitable faith and dedication, Lawrence A. Dwon
was an active member of the West Kill United Methodist Church, where  he
served as a Trustee from 1985 to 1989; and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  his
community, Lawrence A. Dwon  gave  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the
Lexington  Fire  Department  for many years, tirelessly serving his town
and Greene County in an effort to make it a better, safer place; he  was

a  member of the Greene County Volunteer Firemen's Association from 1985
to 2005, and was also a member of the  Greene  County  Fire  Chiefs;  he
served as President of the Greene County Fire Investigation Team, and as
the  Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Warden for the Town of Lexington;
and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, he initiated the Junior  Firefighters  Program
which  saw young residents, including his two sons Matthew and Paul, and
daughter-in-law Liza, step forward to heed the call  of  the  volunteer;
and

  WHEREAS,  Lawrence  A.  Dwon served as Fire Chief from 1992 to 1995,
and again from 1997 until his death on October 15, 2005, at the  age  of
60; and

  WHEREAS,  Lawrence  A.  Dwon  was a man whose heart was committed to
doing the right  thing  the  right  way;  he  served  his  beloved  town
unselfishly  and  well; he leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory  to  all  who
were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; 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  risked  their
lives for their beloved Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  Having  exhibited  his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Lawrence A. Dwon 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   Lawrence  A.  Dwon  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 Lawrence A. Dwon.