An act to amend the Executive Law; designating March 25th as State Medal of Honor Day —
2025-03-25
· Calendar #474
The New York State Senate passed legislation designating March 25th as State Medal of Honor Day, with 61 senators voting in favor. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Harckham, aims to honor the nation's most decorated military heroes and ensure their stories are preserved and recognized. During post-vote explanations, Sen. Fahy highlighted the case of Sergeant Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment (the Harlem Hellfighters), whose Medal of Honor recognition took nearly a century despite his extraordinary bravery in World War I. She expressed concern about potential efforts to erase or downplay his heroism. Sen. Scarcella-Spanton, chair of the Veterans Committee, emphasized the Medal of Honor as the nation's highest military award and noted that behind each recipient is a human story that must be told. She shared a personal connection, noting her husband deployed with Medal of Honor recipient Captain Flo Groberg, who risked his life to stop a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2012. The legislation passed without opposition.
PASSED
Ayes: 61
· Nays: N/A
Debate Summary
The bill designates March 25th as New York State Medal of Honor Day to recognize the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. Senators Fahy and Scarcella-Spanton spoke in support, highlighting the importance of honoring veterans and ensuring their histories are preserved and recognized. Sen. Fahy specifically referenced Sergeant Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters), whose Medal of Honor recognition took nearly a century, and expressed concern about potential efforts to erase or downplay his heroism. Sen. Scarcella-Spanton, as chair of the Veterans Committee, noted that Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award and shared a personal connection through her husband's service alongside Medal of Honor recipient Captain Flo Groberg.