MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN HONOR 31 OF NEW YORK CITY'S COURAGEOUS CITIZENS
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today awarded Certificates of Recognition to 31 of New York City's most Courageous Citizens. The 31 men and women honored today at the Fire Department's Training Academy on Randall's Island were singled out for their selfless and courageous actions.
"Today's ceremony celebrates what makes New York City the greatest city in the world -- ordinary citizens performing extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism," Mayor Giuliani said. "The 31 heroes we honor today have shown the entire City what strength is all about and have taught us all an invaluable lesson. They are people from different backgrounds, with different habits, different physiques, and different likes and dislikes. Yet they all share a fundamental humanity and inner strength. By their example, they have shown us all that they have the resolve and the strength to push past their fears in a moment of extreme danger.
"Their stories are truly exceptional," the Mayor continued. "When Eric Fernandez, a Task Force security worker, realized a house was on fire, he broke through a window and rescued an elderly couple on the first floor. When he discovered another family trapped on the second floor, Eric scaled the garage and helped a father and his baby escape the blaze. Shoshana Weiner and James Foley, both emergency medical technicians, pulled a drowning woman from the waters of Brooklyn's Gravesend Bay and kept her stabilized until help arrived.
"Safwat Abdelkhalek stopped at the scene of an overturned car on fire, smashed the rear windows and pulled the stunned passengers to safety just before the vehicle burst into flames. Reginald Bien-Aime, a 13 year-old junior high school student, woke up one night to find his house on fire. He roused his family, carried his young siblings through the fire and helped his mother out of the house.
"These Courageous Citizens embody a spirit that truly defines this City. With the power of your example to guide us, New York City will continue doing the things we think we cannot do. On behalf of all New Yorkers I would like to thank all of today's heroes," Mayor Giuliani concluded.
"Each person being honored today is a hero, and I extend my sincere congratulations to each one of them," said Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen. "As professionals who endure rigorous and intensive training programs, firefighters and emergency medical personnel truly appreciate and understand the risks undertaken by these brave individuals. We also share the exhilarating personal satisfaction each of them must feel in having helped save the life of another person."
The following is a list of the today's honorees:
| Safwat Abdelkhalek | Richard Andrews | Kevin Barry |
| Reginald Bien-Aime | Joseph Cloke | Edward Cowan |
| Janet DiNapoli | John Drumm | Frank Giambrone |
| Eric Fernandez | James Foley | Grace Goff |
| Randolph Gonzalez | Keith Green | Rudy Hamilton |
| Richard Hawkins | Jamel Holiday | George Knoblach |
| Charles Luce | Jamaine McCain | Richard Pinquist |
| Bobby Quinones | Richard Rivera | Robin Robinson |
| Michael Rodsky | Michael Steffens | Thomas Weil |
| Shoshana Weiner | Chris White | Gideon Zahler |
| Dr. John Zito |
Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Statement | Site Map