LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Ladder
Company 128 in Long Island City, New York, on February 5, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of Ladder Company 128 in Long Island City, New York, and to
honor its past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire
protection to the citizens of Long Island City, New York; and
WHEREAS, On Friday, February 5, 2010, the family members and friends
of the New York City firefighters of Ladder Company 128 gathered at the
firehouse in Sunnyside, Queens to celebrate the company's 100th year of
service; and
WHEREAS, Known affectionately as "Tombstone Territory" due to the
surrounding graveyard, Ladder Company 128 was originally founded on
February 7, 1910, as Hook and Ladder Company 78 on Greenpoint Avenue in
the Town of Blissville; the name was changed to Hook and Ladder 128 on
January 1, 1913; and
WHEREAS, Ladder Company 128 was established two years after the
Queensborough Bridge connected Manhattan to Queens, and New York City
recognized the need to protect the growing numbers of Blissville and
Long Island City residents; it continues its long tradition of dedi-
cation, training, discipline and commitment to excellence in serving the
community; and
WHEREAS, Although many of the streets, buildings, and names have
changed over the last 100 years, Ladder Company 128 has steadfastly
served and protected this area and all of New York City with bravery,
courage and resilience, honoring the traditions of its predecessors and
the New York City Fire Department by continuing its legacy of serving
the community, as it will for another 100 years; and
WHEREAS, The members of Ladder Company 128 in Long Island City played
important roles in battling the Chiclet factory fire of 1976, a 10-alarm
fire on the Brooklyn waterfront in 2006, and during the infamous terror-
ist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of Ladder Company 128 in Long Island
City, New York, have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergen-
cies and have won the praise and respect of the community which they
serve; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
Ladder Company 128 in Long Island City, New York, in public service and
fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a
year, for 100 years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble firefight-
ers left their homes and went to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of Ladder Company 128 in Long Island
City, New York, are prepared to risk their lives every day to help save
the lives of others and to protect homes and property from the
destruction caused by fire; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated by
individual firefighters, Ladder Company 128 in Long Island City, New
York, reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past
100 years; and
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 firefighters; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should give
special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the betterment

of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic good works
performed by the fire departments of this great Empire State, their
officers and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Ladder Company 128 in Long
Island City, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ladder Company 128, Long Island City, New York.