NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2496
SPONSOR: Santabarbara TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing March
thirteenth as a day of commemoration to be known as "K9 Veterans Day"
PURPOSE:
This bill designates March 13 of each year as "K9 Veterans Day" in the
State of New York.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 Subdivision 3 of section 168-a of the Executive Law is amended
by adding March thirteenth as K9 Veterans Day.
Section 2 of the bill provides for an immediate effective date
JUSTIFICATION:
The official K9 Corps was created on March 13, 1942. Joseph J. White, a
retired Military Working Dog handler and founder of "K9 Veterans Day,"
pioneered a nation-wide effort to get the entire country to recognize
March 13 as K9 Veterans Day.
Thousands of dogs have served with honor, dignity and valor throughout
the history of our country's birth and growth. These dogs have served at
many jobs in all of our wars, having been employed by the United States
Military from World War I to present conflicts.
To this day, dogs continue to serve on our borders and abroad every day,
on both land and sea. Many State residents actively participate in and
engage in K9 training and operational activities to assist the United
States Military.
Due the current war on terror, such dogs as Customs Dogs, Search and
Rescue Dogs, Border Patrol Dogs, Police Dogs, Secret Service Dogs and
many more will be included with the Military Working Dogs in this recog-
nition as they also help protect and serve our country.
It is well known that K9 dogs are loyal, loving, and devoted, and that
they have knowingly placed themselves in harm's way, making the ultimate
sacrifice by laying down their lives for their partners. It is appropri-
ate to honor these dogs and to recognize their contributions by desig-
nating March 13 of each year as "K9 Veterans Day."
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2013-14: A8402 - referred to Governmental Operations/S6163- referred to
Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
2015-16: A2232 - referred to governmental operations/S3826- passed
Senate
2017-18: A5019 - referred to governmental operations/S216 -passed Senate
2019-20: A1352 - referred to governmental operations
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
