S8440A

The New York State Senate passed legislation renaming the Patroon Island Bridge in Albany to the Sergeant Henry Johnson Memorial Bridge, honoring the Medal of Honor recipient and World War I hero. The bill (S8440A, Calendar 252) passed 58-1, with only Sen. Brisport voting in opposition. Sen. Fahy, the bill's sponsor, explained that Johnson served with the 369th U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, and was wounded 21 times while single-handedly holding off a German raiding party in 1918. Despite his extraordinary service, Johnson did not receive the Purple Heart until 1996 and the Distinguished Service Cross in 2022, nearly a century after his heroic actions. The Medal of Honor came in 2015. Fahy noted that the federal government recently removed Johnson's name from Fort Johnson in Louisiana, reverting it to Fort Polk, making the state-level bridge renaming an important way to preserve his legacy. Sen. Ashby, a cosponsor, praised Johnson's remarkable achievements and emphasized the importance of honoring veterans' sacrifices. The bridge renaming will connect Albany to Rensselaer County.