Senate Resolution No. 2333

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMENDING BIDCO Marine Group divers Sean Needham,
Chris Kunzleman and Rocky Hine upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend BIDCO Marine Group divers Sean Needham, Chris Kunzleman and
Rocky Hine upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, On Thursday, December 16, 2021, BIDCO Marine Group divers
Sean Needham, Chris Kunzleman and Superintendent Rocky Hine were
repairing timber cribs which support Bird Island Pier on the Niagara
River in Buffalo, New York, when they heard a group of fishermen
screaming, with one of them running towards the water with a life
preserver; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Hine also grabbed a life ring from the pier, and
jumped into the boat with Sean Needham, and sped down the river looking
for the man, while Chris Kunzleman ran downstream on top of the river
wall with another life ring, keeping the victim in sight; and

WHEREAS, Rescue spotter Chris Kunzleman directed the rescue boat to
the exact location of the distraught man, who initially resisted the
rescue attempts; knowing hypothermia would quickly set in, Sean Needham
dove into the river with one of the company's life preservers around him
and swam up to the young man in the water and wrapped his arms around
him; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Hine then maneuvered the boat towards them as Sean
Needham, with the victim in tow, swam up to the boat, at which point
Rocky grabbed the young man and pulled him into the boat; and

WHEREAS, The three good Samaritans knew they had to get the victim
warm, so they stripped off his wet clothes while talking to him and
trying to calm him down before he went into hypothermia and shock; and

WHEREAS, As soon as they reached the dock, they quickly doused him
with hot water to get his body temperature back up; shortly thereafter,
EMS arrived and transported the man to the hospital; and


WHEREAS, Sean Needham, Chris Kunzleman and Rocky Hine, in their
spontaneous and heroic acts, have so aptly demonstrated their character
and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of
their actions, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the
community of New York State who voluntarily respond without thought of
danger or reward when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend BIDCO Marine Group divers Sean Needham, Chris Kunzleman and
Rocky Hine upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sean Needham, Chris Kunzleman and Rocky Hine.