LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Fayetteville-Manlius novice rowing
team and Coach Stephanie Spinella for their consummate courage and brav-
ery while saving a man's life at Onondaga Lake

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of those young people from
the State of New York who take prompt and appropriate action in emergen-
cy situations; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Fayetteville-Manlius novice rowing team and Coach Stephanie Spinella for
their consummate courage and bravery while saving a man's life at Onon-
daga Lake; and
WHEREAS, The Fayetteville-Manlius novice rowing team had left the
boathouse at Longbranch Park and were heading down the channel when Matt
Bass spotted a fisherman lying on the breakwall on the Maple Bay side,
apparently unconscious; and
WHEREAS, As the Fayetteville-Manlius novice rowing team pulled closer,
the man began convulsing; Coach Stephanie Spinella, a nursing student,
pulled her boat onto the rocks to check his airways and roll him onto
his side to stop him from continuing to bite his tongue; and
WHEREAS, While Coach Stephanie Spinella tended to the victim, her boat
with its emergency equipment began to float away; she yelled to her team
and one student called 911, while another climbed into her launch and
rowed it to her; and
WHEREAS, The other nine members of the Fayetteville-Manlius novice
rowing team spun their boat around and rowed to the SU boathouse to get
help; after 25 minutes emergency responders arrived, but by then the
victim had stopped convulsing and regained consciousness; he is fine
today; and
WHEREAS, Exemplifying the best potential which is inherent in our most
precious resource, our youth, the Fayetteville-Manlius novice rowing
team and Coach Stephanie Spinella have brought enduring honor to their
families and community with their quick-thinking reaction during an
emergency situation; and
WHEREAS, Through their spontaneous and heroic actions, the Fayette-
ville-Manlius novice rowing team and Coach Stephanie Spinella demon-
strated their 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 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
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for the Fayetteville-Manlius novice
rowing team and Coach Stephanie Spinella and to wish them continued
success in all of their future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Fayetteville-Manlius novice rowing team and Coach Stephanie
Spinella for their consummate courage and bravery while saving a man's
life at Onondaga Lake; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Fayetteville-Manlius novice rowing team and Coach Stepha-
nie Spinella.