5/17/2010: Senator Huntley Supports Resolution Honoring Lance Orton

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lance Orton for his heroic actions that played a crucial role in saving the lives of many New Yorkers and visitors to our State on May 1, 2010

WHEREAS, Protecting the safety and security of all New Yorkers as well as those who visit the Empire State is an essential priority and requires each and every person to be attentive, vigilant, and alert to potential threats to the public safety; and

WHEREAS, On May 1, 2010, thousands of New Yorkers, tourists and visitors in the vicinity of the Times Square area of Manhattan were targeted by an apparent terrorist attack that included the use of a potential explosive device placed in a motor vehicle that was parked along 45th Street near Seventh Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The alert actions and quick decisions of Lance Orton, a Bronx native, and the New York Police Department led to the successful response of local law enforcement assigned to the area and is believed to have saved the lives of potentially thousands of individuals who were in Times Square at the time the explosive device was discovered; and

WHEREAS, As the pride of the west Bronx and genuine American hero, Lance Orton is a Vietnam War veteran who risked his life to protect the lives of his fellow Americans during that difficult conflict and hascontinued to protect the lives of his fellow New Yorkers to this day; and

WHEREAS, Lance Orton is a well regarded member of the community who comes from a family with a well earned reputation for service to their community and participation in community activities; and

WHEREAS, Lance Orton demonstrated a determined commitment to protecting his fellowman by using the valuable training and skills he learned while a member of our Nation's Armed Forces and responding promptly on May 1, 2010 to an attempted terrorist attack upon the United States of America; he provided information that proved essential to successfully averting the detonation of an explosive device in the heart of Times Square in the City of New York; and

WHEREAS, With typical modesty, Lance Orton has explained his actions with the simple words, "If you see something, say something", emphasizing the importance of the role each New Yorker must play in keeping our Nation and our citizenry safe; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, to honor Lance Orton for taking quick and heroic action to save the lives of countless New Yorkers and visitors to the City of New York during the events of May 1, 2010 to be recognized May 17, 2010; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Lance Orton.