Bill Text: NY J00009 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending John D. Heller posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Broadly Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-15 - ADOPTED [J00009 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00009-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 9

BY: Senator SEWARD

        COMMENDING  John  D.  Heller posthumously upon the
        occasion  of  his  designation  as  recipient  of  a
        Liberty  Medal,  the  highest honor bestowed upon an
        individual by the New York State Senate

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
commend  the  caring  concern  and  heroic  acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in  emergency  situations,  nobly  risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend John D. Heller posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
as  recipient  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, John D. Heller was born September 22, 1980, in Oneonta, New
York, the son of John R. and Gayle (Eggler) Heller; and

  WHEREAS,  A  member  of  Oneonta High School, Class of 2000, John D.
Heller furthered his education by attending Herkimer Community  College;
and

  WHEREAS,  An  area  native and former part-time firefighter with the
Oneonta Fire Department, John D. Heller was a Life Skills Supervisor  at
Oneonta  Job  Corps Academy; he was well-loved and respected by both his
co-workers and students; and

  WHEREAS, Responding without hesitation,  John  D.  Heller  made  the
ultimate  sacrifice Saturday, December 29, 2018, after safely evacuating
his fiancee and four nephews from a residential structure  fire  in  the
City of Oneonta; and

  WHEREAS,  John  D.  Heller in his spontaneous and heroic act, has so
aptly demonstrated his character  and  compassion  for  the  welfare  of
others; personifying, by virtue of his action, the collective concern of
ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond  without thought of danger or reward when loved ones are in need
of help; and

  WHEREAS, Predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Abbie Heller  and
John   O.   Heller;   maternal   grandfather,   George  L.  Eggler;  and
father-in-law, Herb Roe, John D. Heller is survived by his  fiancee  and
soulmate,  Amber  Roe;  his  parents, John and Gayle Heller; brother and
sister-in-law, Michael and Erika Heller; four nephews, Donovan,  Maddox,
Macall  and  Rawley  Heller; maternal grandmother, Phyllis Eggler; aunts
and uncles, George A. Eggler and Evando  Macario,  Sharon  and  Clifford
Costello,  Gary  Heller and Christine Eldred and Larry and Sally Heller;

and mother-in-law, Cyndy Doroski;  as  well  as  several  cousins;  now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend John D. Heller posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the  highest  honor  bestowed  upon  an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of John D. Heller.