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Senate honors 2025 Veterans Hall of Fame, passes resolution recognizing inductees
Summary
The New York State Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the 2025 class of the Senate Veterans Hall of Fame and included remarks from majority leader and committee chair stressing inclusion and veterans services funding.
The New York State Senate unanimously adopted Resolution 1097 on the floor Wednesday, recognizing the 2025 class of the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.
Majority Leader Stewart Cousins introduced the resolution and framed the recognition as part of a two-decade tradition to honor veterans from across the state. "Service transcends political parties," Cousins said, urging the chamber to honor veterans of World War II through Afghanistan and to address historical inequities in veterans' benefits.
Senator Scarcellus Spanton, chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, described the Hall of Fame inductions as among the most meaningful moments of the session and highlighted one inductee, Louis Lupinacci, a World War II veteran who celebrated his 100th birthday and who attended the session. "I proudly vote aye," Spanton said after describing Lupinacci's service at Normandy and later work helping fellow veterans transition to civilian life.
Other senators used the occasion to press for stronger support for veterans services. Senator Ashby noted the recent elevation of the division of veteran services into a department and urged increased funding: "We just celebrated Memorial Day yesterday. Think about the sacrifices... We can do better." Senator Ort warned against conflating the soldier with policymaking and urged colleagues to recognize the unity and service of inductees.
The resolution was adopted by voice vote after the chamber recognized the inductees. The resolution text, read by the secretary, lists inductees and recognizes the state's effort to honor veterans' service.
The chamber opened the session with a moment of silence and an invocation before taking up the resolution; the Hall of Fame event was discussed on the floor immediately before the roll call votes on multiple bills.
The resolution does not create a funding appropriation or new program; it is an honorific recognition adopted by the Senate.
