Honor James A. Dandles

June 5, 2017 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor James A. Dandles upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the inaugural Henry Johnson Award for Distinguished Community Service by the Albany District 369th Veterans Association on Monday, June 5, 2017; and WHEREAS, Born in Waynesboro, Mississippi, on November 29, 1945, James A. Dandles was drafted into the United States Army on November

18, 1965; during the Vietnam War, he served as a Sergeant of Bravo Company, 4th Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 25th Division and was honorably discharged on November 10, 1967; and WHEREAS, Following his military service, James A. Dandles attended Russell Sage College, where he graduated with an Associate degree in Applied Science; in 1968, he began working for Niagara Mohawk Power Company, and later became a Division Warehouse Supervisor; and WHEREAS, In 1989, James A. Dandles was elected President of the Albany District 369th Veterans Association, a vital organization which seeks to honor and perpetuate the memory and legacy of World War I hero, Sergeant Henry Johnson, an Albany, New York native; and WHEREAS, During the early 1970s and 1980s, the Albany District 369th Veterans Association had a particular interest in obtaining proper recognition for Henry Johnson; a City Hall petition was created by the organization to rename Northern Boulevard to become Sergeant Henry Johnson Boulevard; and WHEREAS, In November of 1991, under the able leadership of James A. Dandles, a monument was erected in Albany's Washington Park along with one on Livingston Avenue on behalf of Sergeant Henry Johnson; and WHEREAS, In addition, a section of Northern Boulevard was honorably renamed Henry Johnson Boulevard, and in 1992, a youth academy in South Kortright, New York, was named Sergeant Henry Johnson Youth Leadership Academy; and WHEREAS, A tireless advocate for Sergeant Henry Johnson, James A. Dandles was instrumental in this brave soldier being posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1996, by President Bill Clinton; he was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the United States Army's second highest award in February of 2003; and WHEREAS, In December of 2004, the Albany, New York, postal facility at 747 Broadway was renamed the United States Postal Service Henry Johnson Annex; the City of Albany also dedicated the Henry Johnson Charter School at 30 Watervliet Avenue; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the legacy of Henry Johnson, James A. Dandles was also instrumental in his being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on June 2, 2015, by President Barack Obama; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, on December 11, 2015, the Albany High School JROTC renamed itself the Sergeant Henry Johnson Battalion, and on

February 24, 2016, the Sam Stratton Veterans Hospital renamed its new wing of the Veterans Administration Hospital's Auditorium in honor of Henry Johnson; and WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to James A. Dandles, that future generations may know and appreciate his admirable character, his many benevolent deeds, and the respect and esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor James A. Dandles upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the inaugural Henry Johnson Award for Distinguished Community Service by the Albany District 369th Veterans Association on June 5, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to James A. Dandles.