Assembly Resolution No. 970

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 28, 2024, as First Responders Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud outstanding individuals within our communities whose actions and
accomplishments contribute to the health, safety and well-being of the
communities of the State of New York and to the quality of life of its
people; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 28, 2024, as First
Responders Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National First Responders Day; and

WHEREAS, First Responders are a unique part of New York State's
history; and

WHEREAS, First Responders typically include law enforcement
officers, including state troopers, deputies, all federal law
enforcement-based agents, and school resource officers, as well as
paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, rescuers,
military personnel, sanitation workers, public works; and

WHEREAS, The methods used by today's First Responders date back to
the American Civil War when Army doctors mobilized new methods of first
aid, helping shape our understanding of first aid and military medicine
today; and

WHEREAS, The first civilian ambulance service in New York was
organized in 1869 by Bellevue Hospital, the oldest operating hospital in
the United States; and

WHEREAS, National First Responders Day recognizes the heroic men and
women who make it their business to take immediate action when disaster
strikes; and

WHEREAS, On September 11, 2001, First Responders were critical in
the hours following the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in
New York City, where 60 police officers and 343 firefighters and
paramedics died; and

WHEREAS, On January 30, 2009, First Responder Mark David from Cape
Vincent, New York, was killed in the line of duty, becoming the
inspiration behind Mark's Law, elevating penalties for the murder of
First Responders in New York State; and

WHEREAS, During Hurricane Irene in 2011, and Superstorm Sandy in
2012, First Responders were at work helping others before helping
themselves, providing care to the thousands of fellow citizens affected
by the storms, while their own homes were destroyed and their families
were in need of assistance; and


WHEREAS, In 2015, there were nearly 1.2 million people employed as
First Responders; many of them were veterans, including 10% of emergency
medical technicians (EMTs), 19% of firefighters and 25% of police
officers; and

WHEREAS, In September of 2017, the State of New York approved a bill
honoring First Responders who saved many lives and who put their own
lives in danger; and

WHEREAS, On June 7, 2019, the United States Senate unanimously
passed a bill designating October 28th as the Nation's First Responders
Day; and

WHEREAS, A tragedy of any kind, whether a natural disaster or
sense-less catastrophe, never leaves the heart of the community; and

WHEREAS, A First Responder is a person whose job entails being the
first one on the scene of an emergency; and

WHEREAS, First Responders, in many cases, are volunteers and play an
integral role in making a difference in appalling circumstances; and

WHEREAS, First Responders are there whenever people are at risk,
spending countless hours, and sacrificing personal and professional time
to promote the safety of their neighbors; these extraordinary
individuals continue to help and save the lives of their fellow
citizens; and

WHEREAS, When others are running away from danger, First Responders
are there to make certain lives are saved, doing whatever it takes with
an amazing capacity for courage and compassion; and

WHEREAS, Our unending gratitude and respect are owed to these
devoted individuals whose responsibility is the preservation of life and
who make that responsibility their own by serving as First Responders;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 28, 2024, as First
Responders Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.