Bill Text: NY J02425 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Terry Alan Anderson 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) 2024-05-14 - ADOPTED [J02425 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02425-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2425

BY: Senator SKOUFIS

        COMMENDING  Terry  Alan Anderson 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 Terry Alan
Anderson  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,  Terry Alan Anderson, of Greenwood Lake, New York, was born
to Glen and Lily Anderson on October 27,  1947;  after  graduating  from
high  school,  he  declined a scholarship to the University of Michigan,
enlisting in the United States Marine Corps where he  had  attained  the
rank  of  Staff  Sergeant  and  served as a combat journalist during two
terms in the Vietnam War; and

  WHEREAS, After his return home, Terry Alan Anderson  graduated  with
degrees  in journalism and political science from Iowa State University;
starting a career with the Associated Press,  he  reported  from  vastly
different  places,  such  as Kentucky, Japan, and South Africa, prior to
his arrival in Lebanon, during wartime chaos,  in  1982;  on  March  16,
1985, he was kidnapped by militants of the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah
in  Beirut  in  response  to the involvement of the United States in the
Lebanese Civil War; and

  WHEREAS, One of several Westerners who  were  abducted,  Terry  Alan
Anderson  sacrificed  tremendously  for six and a half years and was the
longest-held American hostage during the conflict; as the  Chief  Middle
East  Correspondent  for  the  Associated  Press, he spent several years
reporting on the upheaval and violence in Lebanon as the country  fought
against Israel; and

  WHEREAS,  Though  he  endured  much  hardship,  the brave journalist
maintained his quick wit and resolve, demanded better treatment from his
captors, and taught his fellow hostages  sign  language  to  communicate
privately; and

  WHEREAS,  Finally,  in  December  of  1991,  Terry Alan Anderson was
released to return home to the United States; he taught  journalism  and
supported  numerous  charitable causes, including the Vietnam Children's
Fund, which has built  over  50  schools  in  Vietnam,  and  the  Father

Lawrence Jenco Foundation, supporting individuals who do charity work in
Appalachian communities; and

  WHEREAS,  Most  recently,  Terry  Alan  Anderson sat on the Board of
Directors of the Rumshock Veterans Foundation,  a  local  Orange  County
organization  working to create a supportive and collaborative community
for veterans in Port Jervis, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Active in his community, Terry Alan  Anderson  gave  public
speeches,  taught  journalism  at  several  prominent  universities  and
operated a  blues  bar,  Cajun  restaurant,  horse  ranch,  and  gourmet
restaurant; and

  WHEREAS,  Terry Alan Anderson died on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the
age of 76, in Greenwood Lake, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Terry Alan Anderson is survived by  his  daughters,  Sulome
and  Gabrielle  Anderson;  a  sister, Judy Anderson; and a brother, Jack
Anderson; he was predeceased by his sister, Peggy Say; 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 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,
Terry  Alan  Anderson  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  Terry  Alan  Anderson  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 Terry Alan Anderson.