LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Steve and Daphne Valentine of Clay, New
York, for their heroic efforts on Interstate 81

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
caring concern and heroic acts of those exemplary citizens who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations while in the
course of their job duties, helping others to avert life-threatening
danger; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Steve and Daphne Valentine of Clay, New York, for their heroic efforts
on Interstate 81; and
WHEREAS, While traveling north on Interstate 81 in Chenango, near
Binghamton, after a family birthday party in New Jersey, Steve Valentine
and his wife, Daphne, noticed a van moving erratically in front of him;
and
WHEREAS, A safety consultant with an environmental company, Steve
Valentine pushed down on the horn and pulled into the fast lane to pass
the van; as they went by, Daphne looked into the driver's side window
and saw a woman slumped back in the seat, apparently unconscious, and a
little girl holding onto the wheel with one hand, blowing the horn with
the other and shouting; and
WHEREAS, Acting quickly, Steve Valentine pulled the car onto the
inside shoulder, along the grassy strip in the middle of Interstate 81
and jumped out; he then sprinted after the van, which was in drive but
no one was giving it gas; and
WHEREAS, Catching up to the van, Steve Valentine yanked the door open,
pulled himself in and hit the brakes; at the same time, another driver
pulled over who had already called 911; and
WHEREAS, Steve Valentine and the other driver helped the little girl
get into the car with his wife, Daphne, and the rest of his family; then
the two men ran back to see what they could do for the victim, who was
not breathing and did not have a pulse; and
WHEREAS, Within seconds, Broome County Sheriff's Office Deputies Will
Andres and Thomas Sienko began using defibrillators to shock the
victim's heart and giving the woman mouth-to-mouth; and
WHEREAS, Moments later, a crew arrived from Chenango Ambulance
Services and Paramedic Mike Morris took over; with his assistants, he
again shocked the woman's heart and then rushed her to Wilson Hospital
in Johnson City; and
WHEREAS, While all this was happening, Steve and Daphne Valentine
waited behind, with their children and the little girl, until the
child's father came and took her home; the family then resumed their
ride home; and
WHEREAS, Not long after arriving home in Clay, New York, the Valen-
tines received a phone call from the Broome County Sheriff's Office
telling them that the 49-year-old victim was alive; and
WHEREAS, Through their spontaneous and heroic actions, Steve and
Daphne Valentine demonstrated their character and compassion for the
welfare of others, personifying the collective concern of ordinary citi-
zens across the community of the State of New York who 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; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Steve and Daphne Valentine of Clay, New York, for their heroic
efforts on Interstate 81; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Steve and Daphne Valentine.