LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Engine
Company 159, FDNY on Staten Island to be celebrated on June 1, 2012

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of Engine Company 159, FDNY on Staten Island on June 1, 2012,
and to honor its past and present firefighting members for a century of
fire protection to the citizens of Staten Island, New York, and its
surrounding communities; 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 Engine Company 159 have valiantly
responded to all types of fire emergencies and have won the praise and
respect of the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, Engine Company 159 was organized as part of the New York City
Fire Department in 1912; and
WHEREAS, Captain M.J. Cummings and eight firefighters took possession
of the quarters of the former Cromwell Hose Company, a volunteer unit
that was housed on Richmond Road since 1906; and
WHEREAS, For many years, Engine Company 159 covered more area than any
other company on Staten Island; today, its response area is all of
Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its traditional response area as an engine
company, Engine Company 159, with Satellite 5, responds to every "All
Hands" in the borough, making it one of the top engine companies
responding the all hands citywide; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
Engine Company 159 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 volunteers left their homes and went to
the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of Engine Company 159 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, Engine Company 159 reflects the history and
development of firefighting over the past century; 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 volunteer 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 Engine Company 159, FDNY on
Staten Island to be celebrated on June 1, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Engine Company 159, FDNY on Staten Island.