Honor Joseph LaPorta's Service

Senate Resolution No. 3071 BY: Senator MARCHIONE HONORING Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate 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, 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was born in Bronxville, New York, on October 19, 1945, to the late Anthony and Vincenza (Vigliotti) LaPorta, Jr.; in 1955, the family moved to Copake, New York; eight years later, Joseph graduated from Roeliff Jansen School in Hillsdale, New York; and WHEREAS, On November 4, 1965, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was drafted into the United States Army; after the successful completion of basic training, he was trained as a food service specialist; and WHEREAS, Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was assigned to the Service Battery, 1st Battalion 92nd Artillery; while assigned to this position, his Military Occupational Specialty was changed and he was charged with the maintenance of all the generators which provided electricity to the compound; and WHEREAS, In February of 1967, the 1/92nd Artillery was deployed to Central Highlands, Vietnam, its primary area of operations; as a mobile unit, it served as direct fire in support of military operations with the 4th Infantry and the 173 Airborne Divisions; the Artillery moved 111 times in its first four months in the country; and WHEREAS, After eight and a half months of Foreign Service, Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta returned to the United States and was honorable discharged on October 28, 1967; and WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Vietnam War, Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Commendation Medal, Overseas Service Bar, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Expert Rifle Badge; and WHEREAS, In 1970, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta earned his degree in electrical engineering from the College of Aeronautics, at LaGuardia Airport in New York City; for two years, he worked for the Bell System before returning to Copake, where he established his own business, Copake Electric; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta was the Commander of the Hillsdale VFW, a founding member of the Copake VFW, Captain/Director of the Copake Community Rescue Squad, and a life member of the Copake Fire Company; and WHEREAS, In addition, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta served as a Building Inspector, volunteer umpire, Commissioner of Taconic Hills Storm Football, Deputy Supervisor and member of the Town of Copake Board; and WHEREAS, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta died on April 18, 2016, at the age of 70; he was survived by his wife, Charlene; two sons, Douglass and Nicholas; six stepchildren, Linda, Scott, Kristen, Chuck, Amanda and Rob; and 10 grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, Joseph Nicholas LaPorta demonstrated his love for his country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his 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 honor Specialist 5 Joseph Nicholas LaPorta posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Joseph Nicholas LaPorta.