Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 18, 2026, as POW/MIA Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1366

BY: M. of A. Rules (Burdick)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        September 18, 2026, as POW/MIA Day in the  State  of
        New York

  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  deserve  a  special salute from this
Legislative Body; and

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  memorialize
Governor  Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 18, 2026, as POW/MIA Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the  observance  of  National
POW/MIA Recognition Day; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  the  American Revolution, people fighting to secure
the freedom of the United States have at some points in time  been  held
as prisoners of war (POWs); and

  WHEREAS,  Each  year,  the third Friday in September is set aside to
honor the commitment and the sacrifices made by this nation's  Prisoners
of War (POW) and those who are still Missing in Action (MIA), as well as
their families; and

  WHEREAS,  National  POW/MIA  Recognition Day was established in 1979
through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter; and

  WHEREAS, The first POW/MIA Recognition Day commemoration was held at
the National Cathedral  in  Washington,  D.C.  while  the  1st  Tactical
Squadron  from  Langley  Air Force Base in Virginia flew the missing man
formation; and

  WHEREAS, 82,000 Americans are still missing according to the Defense
POW/MIA Accounting Agency; and

  WHEREAS, In addition to national-level  ceremonies,  observances  of
National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held across the country on military
installations,  ships  at  sea,  state  capitals, schools, and veterans'
facilities; and

  WHEREAS, The U.S. POW/MIA flag was recognized by Public Law  101-355
in  1990  as  "the  symbol  of  our  Nation's  concern and commitment to
resolving as fully as possible the fates of  Americans  still  prisoner,
missing  and  unaccounted  for  in  the  Southeast Asia, thus ending the
uncertainty for their families and the Nation."; and

  WHEREAS, The point of POW/MIA Recognition Day is to ensure  that  we
remember  to  stand  behind  those  who  serve  and  to  make sure we do
everything we can to account for those who never returned; and

  WHEREAS, The State of New  York  wishes  to  honor  these  soldiers,
sailors, airmen, and their families; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative Body pause in its deliberation to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim  September  18,  2026,  as
POW/MIA Day in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York; and American Legion Posts throughout the State of New York.