LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Long Beach Polar Bear Club on its
record-setting Super Bowl Splash in support of the Make-A-Wish Founda-
tion on February 1, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend certain individuals, organizations and events which enrich their
community and the lives of children with life-threatening medical condi-
tions; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Long Beach Polar Bear Club on its record-setting Super Bowl Splash
in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation on February 1, 2009; and
WHEREAS, What would become the Long Beach Polar Bear Club started
innocently enough on Super Bowl Sunday 1998 when friends Kevin McCarthy
and Peter Meyers decided it would be fun to jump into the Atlantic Ocean
for a quick dip before the game; and
WHEREAS, Stories abounded about town about how much Kevin and Pete
enjoyed their swim and the following year, a dozen newcomers joined the
plunge, including Island Park resident Michael Bradley and his brother,
P.J., a Long Beach police officer, who were mourning the loss of Mike's
4-year-old son, Paulie, who had died in 1997 from neuroblastoma, a
cancer of the nervous system; and
WHEREAS, Mike Bradley and his wife Patti had been searching for a
fitting memorial to Paulie, one that would keep his loving heart and
generous spirit alive for everyone; and
WHEREAS, P.J. Bradley suggested the annual Polar Bear Swim become a
fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a suggestion endorsed by
Patti and Mike Bradley and generously and enthusiastically agreed to by
Kevin McCarthy and Pete Meyers; and
WHEREAS, Paulie Bradley hadn't lived long enough for the Make-A-Wish
Foundation to grant his wish, a trip to play on the beach in Puerto
Rico, but in his memory, the Long Beach swimmers vowed to make sure that
other children would get their wishes; and
WHEREAS, So, on Super Bowl Sunday 2000 the Long Beach Polar Bear Club
members jumped into the freezing ocean with warm hearts, startled shouts
and great determination and raised enough money that first year for one
child to live their dream; and
WHEREAS, Between 2001, when the brazen Long Beach swimmers formally
teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of
children with life-threatening medical conditions, and the 2008 swim,
which drew more than 7,000 people from as far away as Atlantic City and
upstate New York, the Long Beach Polar Bear Club has raised more than
one million dollars, making 155 wishes possible for children in Nassau
County and throughout New York City; and
WHEREAS, The February 1, 2009 plunge, which now honors P.J. Bradley,
who drowned during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, as well as his beloved
nephew, Paulie Bradley, drew what is believed to be a record-setting
crowd of 10,000, including 3,000 to 3,500 swimmers, to the 12th annual
signature Long Beach event; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to applaud all those who
enjoyed a quick and invigorating swim and the thousands of onlookers and
cheerleaders for their enthusiasm, participation and generosity which
will benefit so many area children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Long Beach Polar Bear Club on its record-setting Super Bowl
Splash in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation on February 1, 2009; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Long Beach Polar Bear Club and to Peter and Barbara
Meyers, Kevin and Judy McCarthy, and Michael and Patti Bradley.