LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the emergency personnel and school
administrators for their consummate courage and bravery while helping to
defuse the hostage situation at Stissing Mountain Middle School

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of those individuals from the
State of New York who take prompt and appropriate action in emergency
situations; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
emergency personnel and school administrators for their consummate cour-
age and bravery while helping to defuse the hostage situation at Stiss-
ing Mountain Middle School; and
WHEREAS, On November 10, 2009, a 42-year-old Stanfordville man entered
Stissing Mountain Middle School with a shotgun about 7:45 a.m.,
confronted Principal Robert Hess and took him hostage; and
WHEREAS, A 911 call came in to police about 7:52 a.m., and a perimeter
was set up around Stissing Mountain Middle School about 8:15 a.m., with
more than 100 police officers, emergency medical personnel and other
first responders present; and
WHEREAS, A number of negotiators from the New York State Police and
the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office then began to talk to the lone
gunman intermittently for approximately 90 minutes; at 9:52 a.m., the
suspect agreed to give himself up without harming anyone; and
WHEREAS, During the entire ordeal at Stissing Mountain Middle School,
the police response went according to plan and protocol, while Principal
Hess kept the suspect calm during the negotiation; in addition, the
students and staff knew exactly what to do as emergency plans were put
into action; and
WHEREAS, One of those students, Zach Pruner, was on the phone with his
mother when he saw the gunman enter the administrative offices and close
a door; after two hours of hiding, he spotted SWAT police officers and
made a sign to make them aware that there was one suspect holding four
people inside; and
WHEREAS, Exemplifying the best potential which is inherent in our most
precious resource, our youth, Zach Pruner brought enduring honor to his
family and community with his quick-thinking reaction during this emer-
gency situation; and
WHEREAS, Through their spontaneous and heroic actions, the emergency
personnel and school administrators who helped defuse the hostage situ-
ation at Stissing Mountain Middle School demonstrated their character
and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying the collective
concern of ordinary citizens across the community of the State of New
York who voluntarily respond when others are in need of help; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for the emergency personnel and school
administrators who helped defuse the hostage situation at Stissing Moun-
tain Middle School and to wish them continued success in all of their
future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the emergency personnel and school administrators for their
consummate courage and bravery while helping to defuse the hostage situ-
ation at Stissing Mountain Middle School; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the emergency personnel and school administrators who helped
defuse the hostage situation at Stissing Mountain Middle School.