Assembly Resolution No. 946 BY: M. of A. Santabarbara MOURNING the death of EJ Knapik, United States Navy Veteran, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who, through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive impact on the lives of its residents; EJ Knapik was one such individual; and WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of EJ Knapik, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and WHEREAS, EJ Knapik of Glenville, New York, died on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at the age of 93; and WHEREAS, EJ Knapik proudly served his nation as a petty officer aboard the USS Miami stationed in the Pacific during World War II; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, EJ Knapik worked for General Electric for 33 years as a steam turbine designer; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to our nation's veterans, EJ Knapik was a past state commander of the American Veterans (AMVETS), a national organization which was established by an act of Congress and accepts honorably discharged veterans from World War II through the present; and WHEREAS, The organization's Legislative Chairman for more than 30 years, EJ Knapik received the AMVETS Silver Helmet Award, also known as the Veterans Oscar, in 2009; and WHEREAS, EJ Knapik also served as the AMVETS representative at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, where he spearheaded a $50,000 fund-raising campaign to renovate rooms at the hospital; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary man gave tirelessly of his time and energies to the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, regularly spending time with its patients and delivering craft kits as well as personal care packages; and WHEREAS, EJ Knapik also helped lobby the VA to create Fisher House, a facility where family members of veterans at the center can stay overnight; and WHEREAS, Prior to moving to Glenville, EJ Knapik lived in Amsterdam, New York, where he remained a member of the city's Post 21 Chapter of AMVETS; additionally, he was the post's delegate to the state convention for more than a half-century; and WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, EJ Knapik also served for 11 years as a trustee for the Saratoga National VA Cemetery Support Group, which helped build the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, and on committees for the New York State Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial and World War II Memorial; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, EJ Knapik leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of EJ Knapik, United States Navy Veteran, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of EJ Knapik.