Senate Resolution No. 2996

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMEMORATING the World Trade Center Plaque
Dedication Ceremony for Emergency Medical Technician
Joseph A. Rodriguez on February 13, 2020

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 Emergency Medical Technicians; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the World Trade Center Plaque Dedication Ceremony for
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Joseph A. Rodriguez, celebrated on
Thursday, February 13, 2020, at Emergancy Medical Services (EMS) Station
58 in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, For 28 years, Joseph A. Rodriguez served as an EMT for the
FDNY; for most of his career, he was assigned to EMS Station 58 in
Canarsie, Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, On that terrible morning of September 11, 2001, Joseph A.
Rodriguez was one of the first to respond to Ground Zero to assist in
rescue and recovery efforts; due to his prolonged exposure to the
contaminated air, he battled one illness after another, finally
succumbing to lung cancer on November 23, 2018, at the age of 59; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his role as an EMT, Joseph A. Rodriguez was
known for his love of cars, and was an active member of the Legendary
Muscle Cars Auto Club, a group of car buffs who show off their prized
vehicles throughout the city and Long Island; and

WHEREAS, Affectionately known to his fellow car enthusiasts as Joey
Challenger, he won many trophies with his beloved 2010 Dodge Challenger;
in his final months, he become the proud owner of a 1971 Chevrolet
Chevelle Super Sport, a white muscle car with a black stripe running
down the hood and a black top; and

WHEREAS, Joseph A. Rodriguez also enjoyed spending time with his
beautiful wife Jeannie, who was always by his side, through the good
times and the bad times; and

WHEREAS, Joseph A. Rodriguez was a dedicated and compassionate EMT
who took great pride in saving the lives of his fellow New Yorkers, and
on the day of his death, his brothers and sisters from the FDNY mourned
the loss of another one of this great Empire State's heroes; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude
to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility their own by
serving as an EMT; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the World Trade Center Plaque Dedication Ceremony for

Emergency Medical Technician Joseph A. Rodriguez on February 13, 2020;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jeannie Rodriguez.