Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) has introduced bill A-3951 in the Assembly to designate the month of September to the first responders.

“As we all remember that on September 11, 2001, America experienced the most devastating attack on its homeland since Japanese suicide bombers struck our naval facilities at Pearl Harbor. This despicable attack by cowardly terrorists resulted in the death of nearly 3,000 ' innocent civilians and public servants of this State and Nation. Among those who lost their lives were 341 firefighters and 2 paramedics from the NYC Fire Department, 37 police officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, 23 police officers from the New York City Police Department, and 8 emergency medical technicians from private hospital units who paid the ultimate price while doing a job to which they were devoted. Currently, there is no statutory procedure for designating a month of commemoration and, thus, there is no month that is designated as "Firefighter, Police Officer, and Emergency Medical Technician Appreciation Month," Colton stated.

 "Our brave and devoted firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians should not receive our appreciation only as a result of tragic occurrences. Like the tragedy that just happened this past Sunday when we lost one of NY’s Bravest with the line of duty death of Fire Fighter Timothy Klein. I introduced bill A-3951 to designate the month of September to celebrate the effort and sacrifices that first responders make to serving their communities," Colton continued.

"Their unswerving commitment to duty, to our State, and to our Nation should always be recognized and honored. It is, not only appropriate but it is also a good public policy, to designate a reasonable period dedicated to showing our appreciation Their heroic service and sacrifice are unforgettable in our history of great public service as Americans. Therefore, in tribute to and in the cherished memory of our heroes who gave their all to keep us safe, I urge the passage of this bill. I believe that the month of September is the most suitable time to designate for the first responders. For those who had fallen in the line of duty, we pray for their families and friends in their great sorrow from the loss. May these heroes rest in eternal peace," Colton added.