LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Adam Rivera for his consummate bravery
and courage while rescuing a man from subway tracks

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
caring concern and heroic acts of those exemplary citizens who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations while in the
course of their job duties, helping others to avert life-threatening
danger; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Adam
Rivera for his consummate bravery and courage while rescuing a man from
subway tracks; and
WHEREAS, A member of Engine Company 10 in lower Manhattan, Adam Rivera
was off duty when he saw a man passed out, lying across a downtown
subway track at the Union Square station on August 21, 2009; and
WHEREAS, With no regard for his own safety, Adam Rivera hopped onto
the uptown tracks, bounded over the third rails and squeezed between the
pillars separating the two sets of tracks to get to the unconscious man;
and
WHEREAS, Acting quickly, Adam Rivera grabbed the victim from behind in
a "fireman's carry," as two good Samaritans on the downtown platform who
jumped down to join him, grabbed the sick man's legs; all three then
lifted him safely onto the platform as a train pulled into the station;
and
WHEREAS, A doctor who happened to be on the platform tended to the
unconscious man while Adam Rivera called for help; EMTs arrived about 10
minutes later and the victim was brought to St. Vincent's Hospital with
head injuries; and
WHEREAS, The son of Lillian and Godfrey Rivera, Adam Rivera grew up in
Dyker Heights and attended PS 176 and McKinley Junior High School before
graduating from the High School of Telecommunications in 1997; and
WHEREAS, Through his spontaneous and heroic actions, Adam Rivera
demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the
community of the State of New York who 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
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Adam Rivera for his consummate bravery and courage while rescuing
a man from subway tracks; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Adam Rivera.