BILL NUMBER: S6606

SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating the month
of September as firefighter, police officer and emergency medical tech-
nician appreciation month

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Designates the month of September as Firefighter, Police Officer, and
Emergency Medical Technician Appreciation Month in celebration of their
efforts and sacrifices to vigilantly serve their communities.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the Executive Law by adding new section 168-b.  Subdi-
vision 1 of this new section defines the term "month of commemoration"
as a calendar month designated by this new section, a gubernatorial
proclamation, or a joint house resolution.  Subdivision 2 of this new
section provides that a "month of commemoration" is a "month set aside
              

in recognition and special honor of a person, persons, group ideal or
goal" and not a holiday or half-holiday.

Subdivision 3 of this new section declares that the month September of
each year shall be known as "Firefighter, Police Officer, and Emergency
Medical Technician Appreciation month."

Section 2 of this bill provides that this act shall take effect on the
first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall be come a
law.

 
EXISTING LAW:

Currently, there is no statutory mechanism for designating a month of
commemoration and, thus, there is no month designated as "Firefighter,
Police Officer, and Emergency Medical Technician Appreciation Month."

 
JUSTIFICATION:

On September 11, 2001 America experienced the most devastating attack on
its homeland since Japanese suicide bombers struck our naval facilities
at Pearl-Harbor. This despicable attack by cowardly terrorists resulted
in the death of nearly 3,000 ' innocent civilians and public servants of
this State and Nation. Among those who lost their lives were 37 police
officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police
Department, 23 police officers from the New York City Police Department,
341 firefighters and 2 paramedics from the NYC Fire Department, and 8
emergency medical technicians from private hospital units who paid the
ultimate price while doing a job to which they were extraordinarily
dedicated. Their heroic service and sacrifice is indelible in our histo-
ry of great public service as Americans.  Since that tragic event, New
Yorkers and good people from around the world have paid tribute to the
heroism of these firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical
technicians and established symbols in cherished memory of their lives
and sacrifices. While the acts of bravery and service of those who died
on September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten, we all know that those
who have taken their places as police officers, firefighters, and emer-
gency medical technicians may one day be called upon to make similar
sacrifices.

Our brave and devoted police officers, firefighters and emergency
medical technicians should not receive our appreciation only as.a result
of tragic occurrences. Their unwavering commitment to duty, to our State
and to our Nation should always be recognized and honored.  It is not
only appropriate, but also good public policy, to designate a reasonable
period dedicated to showing our appreciation. In tribute to and in cher-
ished memory of our heroes who gave their all on September 11, 2001,
this bill will designate the month of September as a time to show appre-
ciation and also provides an annual period where we can recognize and
celebrate the service of those who now and in the future will fill the
places of our heroes who have served.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2022 PASSED SENATE

2022 referred to assembly governmental operations

2021 PASSED SENATE

2021 referred to assembly governmental operations

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.