S3443

The New York State Senate passed Senate Print 3443, sponsored by Sen. Harckham, an act to amend the Executive Law, on a roll call vote of 59-0. The bill, which was Calendar Number 116, proceeded directly to a vote without floor debate. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage.

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.