LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the New York State Police Dive Team, the
Ulster County Sheriff's Office Water Rescue Team, and the Ulster Hose
Dive Team upon the occasion of receiving the Team/Unit Award from the
Ulster County Police Chief's Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote themselves to
public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing
for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York, there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the New York
State Police Dive Team, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office Water Rescue
Team, and the Ulster Hose Dive Team upon the occasion of receiving the
Team/Unit Award from the Ulster County Police Chief's Association, to be
celebrated at its 2012 Police Chief's Awards Banquet on Wednesday, May
9, 2012, at the Wiltwyck Golf Course in Kingston, New York; and
WHEREAS, In February of 2011, the pilot of a jet was relocating his
plane from Nashville, Tennessee, to an airport in Columbia County, when
the plane tragically went down in the frozen Hudson River adjacent to
the airport; and
WHEREAS, Within minutes, local rescuers and the New York State Police
Dive Team, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office Water Rescue Team, and The
Ulster Hose Dive Team had their members en route; and
WHEREAS, With the State Police providing an airboat and helicopter, a
plan was in the works to get a diver out to the scene to assess the
situation and develop a recovery plan; and
WHEREAS, Once their airboat arrived on the scene, the State Police
were able to bring their divers and the other dive teams to the scene to
begin the recovery mission, at great risk to their own safety; and
WHEREAS, After approximately 24 hours, the dedicated divers were
finally able to free the pilot and give his family a little closure; and
WHEREAS, Working with the Coast Guard and other rescue units, an
industrial sized helicopter was flown in to remove the plane from the
river; and
WHEREAS, Throughout it all, these professional divers remained
on-scene ready to go back into freezing cold water at a moment's notice;
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
honor the New York State Police Dive Team, the Ulster County Sheriff's
Office Water Rescue Team, and the Ulster Hose Dive Team upon the occa-
sion of receiving the Team/Unit Award from the Ulster County Police
Chief's Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the New York State Police Dive Team, the Ulster County Sher-
iff's Office Water Rescue Team, and the Ulster Hose Dive Team.