Honor EMT Joseph Rodriguez

Senate Resolution No. 2996 BY: Senator PARKER COMMEMORATING the World Trade Center Plaque Dedication Ceremony for Emergency Medical Technician Joseph A. Rodriguez on February 13, 2020 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility their own by serving as Emergency Medical Technicians; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the World Trade Center Plaque Dedication Ceremony for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Joseph A. Rodriguez, celebrated on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at Emergancy Medical Services (EMS) Station

58 in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, For 28 years, Joseph A. Rodriguez served as an EMT for the FDNY; for most of his career, he was assigned to EMS Station 58 in Canarsie, Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, On that terrible morning of September 11, 2001, Joseph A. Rodriguez was one of the first to respond to Ground Zero to assist in rescue and recovery efforts; due to his prolonged exposure to the contaminated air, he battled one illness after another, finally succumbing to lung cancer on November 23, 2018, at the age of 59; and WHEREAS, In addition to his role as an EMT, Joseph A. Rodriguez was known for his love of cars, and was an active member of the Legendary Muscle Cars Auto Club, a group of car buffs who show off their prized vehicles throughout the city and Long Island; and WHEREAS, Affectionately known to his fellow car enthusiasts as Joey Challenger, he won many trophies with his beloved 2010 Dodge Challenger; in his final months, he become the proud owner of a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport, a white muscle car with a black stripe running down the hood and a black top; and WHEREAS, Joseph A. Rodriguez also enjoyed spending time with his beautiful wife Jeannie, who was always by his side, through the good times and the bad times; and WHEREAS, Joseph A. Rodriguez was a dedicated and compassionate EMT who took great pride in saving the lives of his fellow New Yorkers, and on the day of his death, his brothers and sisters from the FDNY mourned the loss of another one of this great Empire State's heroes; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility their own by serving as an EMT; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the World Trade Center Plaque Dedication Ceremony for Emergency Medical Technician Joseph A. Rodriguez on February 13, 2020; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jeannie Rodriguez.