Senate Resolution No. 2117
BY: Senator RANZENHOFER
COMMENDING Firefighters James Christopher and Greg
Smith 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
Firefighters James Christopher and Greg Smith 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, Just before 9 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019, the
Williamsville Fire Department responded to a fire at 327 Evans Street,
and instantly smelled smoke; after being alerted from a neighbor there
might be someone inside, Chief Richard Maddigan went upstairs and
noticed the door to the possible victim's apartment was very hot; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters James Christopher and Greg Smith from
Williamsville Engine 1 joined their Chief, and discovered the fire was
just inside the door; they immediately began searching the apartment for
the resident, whom they found slumped near a chair, unresponsive and in
cardiac arrest; and
WHEREAS, With help from their fellow firefighters, James Christopher
and Greg Smith quickly brought the man to safety outside, where the
ambulance was waiting to initiate CPR; and
WHEREAS, Due to the prompt and courageous actions of Firefighters
James Christopher and Greg Smith, the victim was saved from certain
death; 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;
James Christopher and Greg Smith 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 firefighters James Christopher and Greg Smith 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 James Christopher and Greg Smith.
