Senate Resolution No. 1037

BY: Senator LARKIN

COMMENDING Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh upon the
occasion of being named the 2017 Rockland Female
Veteran of the Year by Rockland County on March 2,
2017

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 peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Senior
Chief Mary E. Cavanagh upon the occasion of being named the 2017
Rockland Female Veteran of the Year by Rockland County on Thursday,
March 2, 2017; this momentous occasion marked the start of Women's
History Month and the beginning of Rockland County's Women's Initiative;
and

WHEREAS, The esteemed Veteran of the Year Award recognizes
individuals who have served honorably in the military, as well as those
who have contributed to the betterment of their community after being
discharged; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh grew up in Garnerville, New
York, and graduated from North Rockland High School before beginning a
long and distinguished career with the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, As a Cryptologic Technician, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh
was stationed in Florida, Spain, the Mediterranean, Guam and back to
Washington, D.C., where her final assignment was with the National
Military Joint Intelligence Center at the Pentagon; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh
achieved many firsts; in 1982, she was part of the first contingent of
women to be permanently assigned to the Naval Support facility Diego
Garcia in the Indian Ocean; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh earned numerous
awards and accolades for her meritorious service including the Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the
Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal with three
gold stars, the Good Conduct Award with four bronze stars, Expert Rifle,
Expert Pistol and various other campaign medals and ribbons; in
addition, she is authorized to wear the Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge and
the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh proudly served her country
with distinction and honor as a member of the United States Navy, where
she broke many gender barriers; today, she serves as a role model for

young people, male and female, as the Director of the North Rockland
High School Navy Junior ROTC program; and

WHEREAS, In addition to this leadership role, Senior Chief Mary E.
Cavanagh teaches ROTC cadets at the Naval Leadership and Sail Training
Academy in Newport, Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Through Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh's efforts, the North
Rockland Navy Junior ROTC has spent 28,000 hours supporting its school
and successfully completed over 40,000 hours of community service,
fostering a connection between the North Rockland school district and
the Rockland veteran community; and

WHEREAS, Under Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh's luminous leadership,
the North Rockland Navy Junior ROTC was recognized as a Distinguished
Unit with Academic Honors in 2015; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited her patriotism both at home and abroad,
Mary E. Cavanagh has 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 Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh upon the occasion of being named
the 2017 Rockland Female Veteran of the Year by Rockland County; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Senior Chief Mary E. Cavanagh.