Honor Hero Firefighter Bitsko

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.