Assembly Resolution No. 250

BY: M. of A. Jean-Pierre

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 29, 2023, as Vietnam Veterans Day in the State
of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Vietnam Veterans Day

WHEREAS, It is custom of this Legislative Body that those who give
positive definition to the profile and disposition of the American Armed
Forces so profoundly strengthen our shared commitment in conjunction to
the exercise of freedom; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 29, 2023, as Vietnam
Veterans Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Vietnam Veterans Day; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Forces from the State of New York, who
have so honorably served this State and Nation deserve a special salute
from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the men and women who served with dignity
and honor during this historic time-period, let us remember them and
thank them for their service; and

WHEREAS, More than three million servicemen and women left their
families to bravely serve a world away in places such as La Drang to Khe
Sanh from Hue to Saigon, and countless villages in between; they pushed
through jungles and rice paddies, heat, and monsoons, fighting to
protect the ideals we hold dear as Americans; and

WHEREAS, Through more than a decade of combat, over air, land, and
sea, these proud Americans upheld the highest traditions of the United
States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, The Vietnam War was fought in the Republic of South Vietnam
from 1955 to 1975, and involved North Vietnamese regular forces and
Vietnam Cong guerrilla forces in armed conflict with the United States
Armed Forces and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, The United States Armed Forces became involved in Vietnam
because the United States Government wanted to provide direct military
support to the Government of Vietnam to defend itself against the
growing Communist threat from North Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Members of the United States Armed Forces began serving in
an advisory role to the Government of the Republic of South Vietnam in
1955; and

WHEREAS, As a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on August 2nd
and 4th, 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law
88-408) on August 7, 1964, which provided the authority to the President
of the United States to prosecute the war against North Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, By the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United States troops
in Vietnam, and by 1969, a peak of approximately 543,000 troops was
reached; and

WHEREAS, On January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was signed, which
required the release of all United States prisoners-of-war held in North
Vietnam and the withdrawal of all United States forces in South Vietnam;
and

WHEREAS, On May 7, 1975, the last 2,500 troops were withdrawn from
South Vietnam, ending military involvement in the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, the New York State Vietnam Veterans Memorial was
dedicated in Albany to commemorate those members of the United States
Armed Forces who died or were declared missing-in-action in Vietnam, the
first state in the nation to dedicate a Vietnam Memorial; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 90 of the Laws of 2008, designated March 29 of each
year as Vietnam Veteran's Day in the State of New York, a day of
commemoration to honor those individuals who sacrificed for their
country; and

WHEREAS, Beginning on Memorial Day 2012, the federal government
began a partnership with local governments, private organizations, and
communities across the country to participate in the commemoration of
the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, a 13-year program to honor and
give thanks to a generation of proud Americans who saw a country through
one of the most challenging times; and

WHEREAS, May 28, 2012, through November 11, 2025, is known as the
Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War as declared by
President Barack Obama, by Presidential Proclamation dated May 25, 2012;
and

WHEREAS, March 28, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam
War Recognition Act of 2017; the measure amended Title 4 of the United
States Code to encourage the flying of the American Flag on National
Vietnam War Veterans Day every year on March 29th; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Water Navy (BWN) Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019
(P.L. 116-23) was signed by President Trump on June 25, 2019, and took
effect on January 1, 2020; this measure extended the presumption of
herbicide exposure, such as Agent Orange, to veterans who served in the
offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and
May 7, 1975; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to Public Law 116-283 signed on January 1, 2021,
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, Vietnam
veterans exposed to Agent Orange who have been diagnosed with
Parkinson's, Bladder cancer, and Hypothyroidism, will be deemed
service-connected and eligible for health care and compensation; and

WHEREAS, President Joe Biden signed the Sergeant First Class Heath
Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act on August 10, 2022, (Public Law No.
117-168) that expanded the VA healthcare benefits for veterans exposed
to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of this great State and Nation, benefactors of
the sacrifices and courageous acts of the men and women who served and
continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces, remain indebted and
are justly proud of the Vietnam veterans from the State of New York,
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 29, 2023, as Vietnam
Veterans Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Vietnam Veterans Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to encourage the
people of the State of New York to observe Vietnam Veterans Day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities that provide the appreciation
Vietnam War veterans deserve but did not receive upon returning home
from the war; to demonstrate the resolve that never again shall the
Nation disregard and denigrate a generation of veterans; to promote
awareness of the faithful service and contributions of such veterans
during their military service as well as their communities since
returning home; to promote awareness of all the importance of entire
communities empowering veterans and the families of veterans to readjust
to civilian life after military service; and to promote opportunities
for such veterans to assist younger veterans returning from the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan in rehabilitation from wounds, both seen and
unseen, and to support the reintegration of younger veterans into
civilian life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of the Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; Ned Foote, President of the Vietnam Veterans of American New York
State Council; and Joseph Pollicino, President of Tri County Council
Vietnam Era Veterans.