Senate Resolution No. 297

BY: Senator SEPULVEDA

COMMENDING Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell in
recognition of his prompt and heroic actions in
protecting the members of Congress and their staff
while the United States Capitol was under attack on
January 6, 2021

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble police officers who exhibit courage and bravery
every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives to preserve the life and property of another; Staff
Sergeant Aquilino Gonell is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend and pay
just tribute to Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell in recognition of his
prompt and heroic actions in protecting the members of Congress and
their staff while the United States Capitol was under attack on January
6, 2021; and

WHEREAS, After immigrating from the Dominican Republic to the United
States in 1992, Aquilino Gonell fulfilled the American dream by becoming
a United States citizen and a college graduate; and

WHEREAS, Aquilino Gonell proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom, followed by the
Army Reserve; during his deployment, this brave and selfless soldier
volunteered to conduct supply missions for the United States, allied
forces and local Iraqi schools through the threat of bomb-filled roads;
and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military duties, Aquilino Gonell
joined the Capitol Police Department in Washington, D.C., and once
again, took the oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the
United States; and

WHEREAS, On January 6, 2021, following the defeat of then-United
States President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, a mob
of his supporters attacked the United States Capitol Building in
Washington, D.C. to prevent a joint session of Congress from counting
the electoral college votes to formalize the victory of President-elect
Joe Biden; and

WHEREAS, Heeding the call to defend the United States Capitol and
members of Congress, Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell quickly found
himself immersed in the violence and mayhem enacted upon our government;
and

WHEREAS, Even though he knew what a dangerous situation he and so
many of his fellow officers were in, Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell

charged forward and was caught in a tunnel on the West Front, where he
engaged in some of the most brutal fighting of the day; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell was hit with so much
chemical sprays that the liquid soaked through to his skin and he
sustained multiple injuries, several of which he is still recovering
from; and

WHEREAS, Hours into the attack on the Capitol, Staff Sergeant
Aquilino Gonell later learned that his wife and relatives were trying
desperately to contact him, but it was not until 4:26 p.m. that he had a
chance to text his wife to let her know he was alive; he made it home at
4:00 a.m. the next day and only four hours later, at 8:00 a.m., he was
already on his way back to the Capitol, and continued to work for 15
consecutive days until after the inauguration of President Joe Biden;
and

WHEREAS, On July 27, 2022, Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell and three
of his fellow officers bravely revisited the horror of that cold January
day, emotionally testifying before Congress about the events that took
place at the United States Capitol Building; and

WHEREAS, Today, Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell continues to heal,
both mentally and physically, from the injuries he sustained while
defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies,
foreign and domestic; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, through his spontaneous and
heroic actions, demonstrated his character and his compassion for the
welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of his actions, the
collective concern of law enforcement officers who respond naturally
when others need help; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and actions are brought to our attention,
they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell in recognition of his prompt and
heroic actions in protecting the members of Congress and their staff
while the United States Capitol was under attack on January 6, 2021; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Staff Sergeant Aquilino Gonell.