Honor Women Veterans Day

625-80th Congress); this law ensured that women would have a permanent place in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines; and WHEREAS, Women have always answered the call to duty, serving the United States of America with integrity and respect; and WHEREAS, Women have formally been a part of the United States Armed Forces since the establishment of the Army Nurses Corps in 1901, but have informally served since the inception of the United States military; and WHEREAS, Women have served with honor and valor, from disguising themselves as male soldiers during the American Revolution and the Civil War, to serving as nurses in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and as combat helicopter pilots in Afghanistan; and WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the contributions of New York women veterans, and to educate the people of New York concerning the role of women in our military; and WHEREAS, Women serving in the military continue to demonstrate their professionalism, dedication, leadership, and skills, as well as the patriotism and love for their country as they mobilize in record numbers to support Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and the Global War on Terrorism; and WHEREAS, Today, there are more than 2 million women veterans in the United States, representing 8.4 percent of the total veteran's population; and WHEREAS, Among the Armed Forces, there are over 60,000 women veterans in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Women who have served our country in uniform, during wartime and peace, have earned our respect and thanks; and WHEREAS, In 1988, the State of New York dedicated The New York State Women Veterans Memorial located in Albany, New York, to honor the 1.2 million women in the military service over the past 200 years; and WHEREAS, Women Veterans Recognition Day is a living testimony to the courage of so many; from its broad base of shared concern and responsive endeavor, there yet emanates the current of valiant tradition and the irrepressible tide of freedom; and WHEREAS, Through its avowed commitment to those who served in the cause of America's Freedom, Women Veterans Recognition Day does so unselfishly advance the spirit of the united purpose and shared concern which is the unalterable manifestation of our American experience; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay tribute to the bravery, patriotism, and sacrifice made by women, both those still living and those who died in the service of this country; and most proudly to commemorate the 72nd Anniversary of the signing of the Women's Armed Forces Service Act of 1948, which later came to be known as Women Veterans Recognition Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Women Veterans Coordinator at the New York State Division of Veteran's Services.