LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Henry Judah Heimlich upon the 42nd
Anniversary of developing the life-saving Heimlich maneuver and commend-
ing him on recently using the maneuver himself at the age of 96

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality of life in the communities across this great State of New York
is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those indi-
viduals whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Henry Judah Heimlich upon the 42nd Anniversary of developing the life-
saving Heimlich maneuver, and commending him on recently using the
maneuver himself at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, The simple but powerful procedure Dr. Henry J. Heimlich is
used to treat upper airway obstructions by foreign objects; it has been
adopted all over the world as the standard response to a choking situ-
ation; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of New Rochelle High School, Cornell University
and Wells Cornell Medical College, Dr. Henry J. Heimlich first
published his views about the maneuver in a June 1974 article in EMER-
GENCY MEDICINE; the published guidelines of the American Heart Associ-
ation, the American Red Cross, the National Institute of Health and the
National Safety Council have recommended the procedure as the preferred
treatment for choking; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Dr. Henry J. Heimlich used the emergency technique
himself to save a woman who was choking on food at his senior living
center; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry J. Heimlich was enjoying his steak in the dining
room of the Deupree House, a senior living community in Cincinnati,
Ohio, where he now lives, when he suddenly noticed a woman next to him
started choking; and
WHEREAS, Without hesitation, he reached his arms around the choking
woman's body and did what he does best: grasped his left fist in his
right hand and thrusted quickly and upward; he continued doing this
until a piece of hamburger was dislodged from the woman's throat; and
WHEREAS, The woman was Patty Gill Ris, an 87-year-old resident who had
just moved to the community in March and was dining with Dr. Henry J.
Heimlich for the first time; he reportedly used the procedure just one
time before when he was 80 years-old; and
WHEREAS, The retired chest surgeon felt much gratification after know-
ing the technique he developed continues to be a relevant procedure
which has successfully saved many lives over the past four decades; and
WHEREAS, In his spontaneous and heroic act, Dr. Henry J. Heimlich has
so aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of
others; personifying, by virtue of his action, the collective concern of
individuals across the community of New York State who voluntarily
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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Henry Judah Heimlich upon the 42nd Anniversary of developing
the life-saving Heimlich maneuver, and to commend him on recently using
the maneuver himself at the age of 96; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Henry J. Heimlich.