Senate Resolution No. 4313

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

HONORING Firefighter Vincent Bitsko upon the
occasion of his designation as Fireman of the Year
by the Garden City Park Fire Department

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

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Firefighter
Vincent Bitsko upon the occasion of his designation as Fireman of the
Year by the Garden City Park Fire Department, to be celebrated at its
107th Annual Installation Dinner on Saturday, April 7, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, On December 24, 2017, at approximately 4 a.m., Vincent
Bitsko and a fellow firefighter were heading home from the Garden City
Park Fire Department when they saw a car had crashed into a tree on
Shelter Rock Road; and

WHEREAS, Disregarding his own personal safety and acting in a manner
which personifies the finest traditions of those who place their own
life in peril to save others, Vincent Bitsko bravely and without
hesitation pulled the driver out of the vehicle and dragged him to
safety just seconds before the car burst into flames; and

WHEREAS, So aptly demonstrating his character and compassion for the
welfare of his neighbors, Vincent Bitsko truly merits the grateful
tribute of this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
Vincent Bitsko is such a firefighter; throughout his years of devoted
service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Firefighter Vincent Bitsko upon the occasion of his designation as
Fireman of the Year by the Garden City Park Fire Department; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Vincent Bitsko.