New York J 2291: Congratulating Charlotte Santosus on receiving the Girl Scout Silver Award, Cadette Scouting's highest award and Girl Scouting's second highest achievement

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J02291 Summary:

BILL NOJ02291 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORHARCKHAM

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COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

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Go to top J02291 Actions:

BILL NOJ02291 

&nbsp

05/29/2026REFERRED TO FINANCE

06/02/2026REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

06/02/2026ADOPTED

06/04/2026REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

06/04/2026ADOPTED

Go to topJ02291 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ02291 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ02291 Text:

Senate Resolution No. 2291

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

 MOURNING the death of Gerard Michael McKenna,
 distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
 community

 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

 WHEREAS, Gerard Michael McKenna, of Somers, New York, died on May
14, 2026, at the age of 85; and

 WHEREAS, Gerard Michael "Gerry" McKenna was born to Michael and
Margaret McKenna in South Bronx, New York, on July 15, 1940; he had two
sisters, Peggy Ann Leahy and Sister Amadeus "Birdie" McKenna; and

 WHEREAS, Gerard McKenna attended Regis High School, a Jesuit
institution to which he felt forever indebted; while on academic
scholarship, he graduated from Boston College where he played basketball
and served in the United States Army ROTC; and

 WHEREAS, In later years, Gerard McKenna also earned a Master of
Public Administration and Master of Business Administration from Golden
Gate University and Baruch College; and

 WHEREAS, After serving as personal aide to Brigadier General Charles
"Monk" Meyer, in 1966, Captain Gerard McKenna deployed to Vietnam;
there, he eventually took command of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th
Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a unit engaged in airmobile
operations within the Ia Drang Valley; and

 WHEREAS, For his service, Gerard McKenna earned the Combat
Infantryman's Badge and a Bronze Star; he carried the names of his
fellow servicemen who lost their lives; he spent the next 25 years in
the Army National Guard and Reserves, a period of time which included
graduating from the Army War College, serving as the commander of the
Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment, and receiving the Legion of Merit; and

 WHEREAS, As Colonel McKenna loved to say, he retired from the Army
with "30 years, 29 days" of service, the maximum the law would let him
stay; and

 WHEREAS, Upon his return from Vietnam in 1967, Gerard McKenna met
the love of his life, Cathleen; the two worked closely together for
several years before he had the courage to ask her for a date; their
love grew quickly, sharing a sense of humor and love of travel; and

 WHEREAS, After a brief courtship, Gerard and Cathleen McKenna were
married on October 27, 1973, and began their lives together in Park
Chester, New York; in 1977, Cathleen fell in love with Somers, New York,
where the two would then share the next 45 years together, building a
family; and

 WHEREAS, In a close-knit household, the couple raised three
children, Daniel, Marshall, and Jennifer; a deeply engaged father,
Gerard McKenna never missed his children's sporting events and guided
their academic and intellectual development; his family were active
members of St. Patrick's in Bedford where he chaired the Parish Council
and frequently volunteered as trash collector and security at school
functions; and

 WHEREAS, In his civilian career, Gerard McKenna rose through the
ranks as a commercial lending officer for several large international
banks; he enjoyed building rapport with his clients and would regale the
family with (repeated) stories of deals won and lost; outside of work,
one of his greatest pleasures was mentoring young people and providing
support as they faced career crossroads or other life challenges; and

 WHEREAS, Over time, the family of five quickly became eight with the
addition of the children's spouses, Natalie (Daniel), Kaitlyn
(Marshall), and Paul (Jennifer); Gerard McKenna took great pleasure in
getting to know each of them and celebrating their successes; and

 WHEREAS, No conversation with Gerard McKenna ended without the
knowledge of exactly how proud of his children and their partners he
was; after his wif