LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the men and women of the New York Air
National Guard, the Newburgh, New York Police Department, the New Wind-
sor, New York Police Department, the New York City Police Department,
the New York State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and
the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) for their recent work in infil-
trating and arresting the members of a terrorist cell in the Riverdale
section of the Bronx

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor those individuals who
serve to preserve and protect our communities, lauding particularly
their unwavering courage and dedication in the daily performance of
their duties; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the men and women of the New York Air National Guard, the Newburgh, New
York Police Department, the New Windsor, New York Police Department, the
New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)
for their recent work in infiltrating and arresting the members of a
terrorist cell in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York, who were
in the midst of a plot to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
at two Jewish synagogues and to shoot down a military plane with a
Stinger surface-to-air missile at a local Air National Guard base; and
WHEREAS, Joint Terrorism Task Forces are small cells of highly
trained, locally based, passionately committed investigators, analysts,
linguists, SWAT experts, and other specialists from dozens of U.S. law
enforcement and intelligence agencies; and
WHEREAS, It is a multi-agency effort led by the Justice Department and
FBI designed to combine the resources of federal, state, and local law
enforcement; and
WHEREAS, The National JTTF was established in July of 2002 to serve as
a coordinating mechanism with the FBI's partners; some 40 agencies are
now represented in the NJTTF, which has become a focal point for infor-
mation sharing and the management of large-scale projects that involve
multiple partners; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize and commend outstanding indi-
viduals such as the men and women of the New York Air National Guard,
the Newburgh, New York Police Department, the New Windsor, New York
Police Department, the New York City Police Department, the New York
State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Joint
Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) for their valued contributions to both the
State and the Nation; and
WHEREAS, The four men arrested in what according to the authorities
was a plot to bomb two synagogues in the Riverdale section of the Bronx
and shoot down military planes at an Air National Guard base in
Newburgh, New York, appeared to be acting alone, not in concert with any
terrorist organization; and
WHEREAS, Due to the brave and commendable actions of the men and women
of the New York Air National Guard, the Newburgh, New York Police
Department, the New Windsor, New York Police Department, the New York
City Police Department, the New York State Police, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the four
individuals were arrested in an elaborate sting operation after planting
what they believed to be bombs in cars outside the Riverdale Temple and
the nearby Riverdale Jewish Center; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated
public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation

of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full praise for
their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the men and women of the New York Air National Guard, the
Newburgh, New York Police Department, the New Windsor, New York Police
Department, the New York City Police Department, the New York State
Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Joint Terror-
ism Task Force (JTTF) for their recent work in infiltrating and arrest-
ing the members of a terrorist cell in the Riverdale section of the
Bronx; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the men and women of the New York Air National Guard, the
Newburgh, New York Police Department, the New Windsor, New York Police
Department, the New York City Police Department, the New York State
Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Joint Terror-
ism Task Force (JTTF).