Provides to the issuance of a Cold War Certificate to resident veterans who served honorably in the armed forces between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S2574

Title of bill

An act to amend the military law, in relation to the issuance of a Cold War certificate

Purpose

This bill would allow for the recognition of the contributions of our service men and women who served honorably during the Cold War by authorizing and awarding a State Cold War Certificate to these individuals.

Summary of provisions

Amends Section 247 of the military law by adding a new subdivision 1-b, which would authorize the governor to present in the name of the Legislature of the state of New York, a military decoration, to be known as the "Cold War Certificate."

The certificate would be awarded to any person who is a citizen of the state of New York or was a citizen of the state of New York while serving in the Armed forces of the United States, who served in the United States Armed Forces during the period of time from September second, nineteen hundred forty-five through December twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred ninety-one, commonly known as the Cold War Era and who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances during the Cold War Era.

Amends Subdivision 4 of Section 247 of the Military Law to include that the section shall not construed to require a recipient of the Cold War service medal to have been a resident of the state of New York at the time of his or her entry into the United States army, air force, navy, marine corps, or nurses corps.

Justification

In 1988 the United States Government recognized the contribution of its armed forces and their sacrifices during the Cold War with a Certificate of Recognition that had to be requested from the Department of Defense. No federal campaign medal exists to recognize the dedicated participation of those service members who "stood watch" in the cause of promoting world peace and stability, and who also participated in hundred of military exercises and operations that occurred between the state of the Cold War on September 2, 1945 and the end of the Cold War on December 26, 1991.

The United States Government has not authorized or recognized a Cold War Certificate dedicated to the service of these veterans who sacrificed so much, many of whom performed actions and duties till shrouded in secrecy so that they receive and maintain no identity as Cold War Veterans.

These thousands of New York State Cold War Veterans prevented communist world domination and nuclear war. Therefore, it is fitting that these service members who served honorable during this era

receive proper state recognition for their efforts in the form of a State Cold War certification.

Legislative history

2006: A.10966 Ortiz Passed Assembly 2007/08: A.5156 - Passed both houses, Vetoed 2009/10: A.6465A - Passed Assembly, Died in Senate 6/16/11 Referred to Rules 3/13/12 Reported and Committed to Finance

Fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that the division of military and naval affairs is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or after such date.