Assembly Resolution No. 2390

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

COMMEMORATING the 10th Anniversary of the CNY
Memorial Stair Climb on September 7, 2024

WHEREAS, The memory of those who lost their lives in the
unprecedented tragedy which befell our State and Nation on September 11,
2001, will forever remain with their families, and will live in the
hearts of every New Yorker and every American; and

WHEREAS, To those who were lost and the loved ones they left behind,
and to those who were there to help, we will never forget; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate the
10th Anniversary of the CNY Memorial Stair Climb to be held on Saturday,
September 7, 2024, at the New York State Office Building in Utica, New
York; and

WHEREAS, On the morning of September 11, 2001, thousands of New
York's Bravest and Finest responded to the terrorist attacks to perform
the largest rescue and high-rise firefighting operation in history; and

WHEREAS, Upon their arrival, firefighters climbed the stairs of the
110-story buildings in their forty to sixty pounds of personal
protective gear plus twenty to thirty pounds of additional firefighting
equipment; Law Enforcement Officers and EMTs were right there beside
them; and

WHEREAS, The Central New York Memorial Stair Climb remembers these
emergency responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11,
2001, during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center complex,
saving thousands of civilians before the collapse; and

WHEREAS, As a Memorial Stair Climb, this honorable event pays
tribute to the fallen first responders while supporting and holding the
surviving family in high esteem; and

WHEREAS, The CNY Memorial Stair Climb is not a race, but rather a
tribute honoring the sacrifices of fallen heroes - both near and far;
and

WHEREAS, Fulfilling a promise to "never forget" their brothers and
sisters who have died in the line of duty, 343 firefighters, 70 law
enforcement officers and 8 EMTs, the number of firefighters/law
enforcement/EMTs who perished at Ground Zero with the collapse of the
Twin Towers, climb 110 floors; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, most climbers wear their personal protective
equipment, and all climbers wear the name and picture of a hero they are
climbing in memory of; and

WHEREAS, The success of the CNY Memorial Stair Climb is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its Event Director and Founder Jeffrey
Burkhart, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising

standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when events
of such significance are brought to our attention, 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
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the CNY Memorial Stair Climb on
September 7, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jeffrey Burkhart, Event Director and Founder of the CNY
Memorial Stair Climb.