Bill Text: NY J00415 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Commending Firefighter Kerr, Ex-Chief Kaplan and Captain Sauberman upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-23)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-27 - ADOPTED [J00415 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00415-Introduced.html

Senate Resolution No. 415

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

        COMMENDING  Firefighter  Josh Kerr, Acting Officer
        Robert Kaplan and Captain William Sauberman upon the
        occasion of their designation  as  recipients  of  a
        Liberty  Medal,  the  highest honor bestowed upon an
        individual by the New York State Senate

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

  WHEREAS,  New  York  State 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
Nation; and

  WHEREAS,   This   Legislative   Body  is  justly  proud  to  commend
Firefighter Josh Kerr, Acting Officer Robert Kaplan and Captain  William
Sauberman  upon  the  occasion  of  their designation as recipients of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the  New
York State Senate; and

  WHEREAS,  The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is  awarded  to  individuals  who  have  merited  special
commendation  for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

  WHEREAS, On Sunday, January 6, 2019, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the
Syosset Volunteer Fire  Department  responded  to  an  automatic  carbon
monoxide  detector  activation at a senior living complex; upon arrival,
the firefighters noticed a burning smell; and

  WHEREAS, After Captain William Sauberman, officer of Engine  Company
5,  forced his way into the apartment, he and Firefighter Josh Kerr, the
Acting Officer of Engine 584, and Robert Kaplan, officer of Ladder 5855,
began searching the smoke-filled apartment for residents; and

  WHEREAS, Fortunately, the three firefighters heard a groan from  the
kitchen  and  found  the  victim  face  down on the floor; after a quick
assessment to see if  he  was  still  breathing,  they  carried  the  71
year-old man outside to safety; and

  WHEREAS,  The  unconscious  victim  was  cared  for  on scene by the
Syosset Fire Department Emergency Medical Service members, and he gained
consciousness on route to the hospital; due to the firefighters'  astute
and courageous actions, the man's life was spared; and

  WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor,  and integrity; these respected men and women are often the first
to respond to  an  emergency,  whether  the  emergency  is  a  fire,  an
accident,  natural  disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; 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;
Firefighter  Josh Kerr, Acting Officer Robert Kaplan and Captain William
Sauberman  are  such  firefighters;  they  heroically perform, 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
commend  Firefighter Josh Kerr, Acting Officer Robert Kaplan and Captain
William Sauberman upon the occasion of their designation  as  recipients
of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Josh Kerr, Acting Officer Robert  Kaplan  and
Captain William Sauberman.
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