Senate Resolution 3

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JOEL ELLZIE OF OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, UPON BEING SELECTED AS A RECIPIENT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL "STARS OF LIFE" AWARD FOR 2005-2006 BY AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE AND THE AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

WHEREAS, American Medical Response (AMR), the nation's largest ambulance service, and the American Ambulance Association have named Paramedic Joel Ellzie of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the national "Stars of Life" Awards Program for 2005-2006, for his work during Hurricane Ivan evacuations; and

WHEREAS, "Star of Life" is an honorary title that the American Ambulance Association bestows on about 100 outstanding emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics across the United States each year. The selection is the nation's most prestigious award for frontline ambulance personnel; and

WHEREAS, Joel Ellzie will visit Washington, D.C., from May 1-4, 2005, to attend recognition ceremonies by the American Ambulance Association and AMR. He will also meet with several members of Congress and tour the nation's capital; and

WHEREAS, the 900 ambulance services that belong to the American Ambulance Association employ hundreds of thousands of EMTs and paramedics. So, as one of only 100 Stars of Life nationwide this year, Joel is in an elite group; and

WHEREAS, based near Washington, D.C., the American Ambulance Association is the trade association for the medical transportation industry. A committee of AMR managers from the 34-state company chose Ellzie for the award. He was nominated by his fellow AMR ambulance workers. Criteria requires the nomination of ambulance personnel who "personify the best of the profession"; and

WHEREAS, Ellzie is both a Field Paramedic and Supervisor with AMR in Harrison and Hancock Counties, where he has worked for eight years. Chris Cirillo, Director of Operations, praised Ellzie for exceptional work during Hurricane Ivan. Cirillo said, "Mass evacuations from Ivan suddenly created an unprecedented need for a second shelter for bed-bound patients and people dependent on biomedical equipment. Joel met the challenge head-on. He found a site, coordinated with several agencies for supplies and generators, and recruited other caregivers. Joel and his team took care of 35 patients for 36 hours straight"; and

WHEREAS, AMR will send 41 Stars of Life to Washington this year. In Mississippi, the company employs approximately 500 personnel in Adams, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties. AMR plans to introduce the Stars of Life at meetings of city councils and county commissions during National EMS Week in mid-May. AMR will also recognize each Star at ceremonies at the company's offices in Jackson and Gulfport. AMR is Mississippi's busiest ambulance service. In fiscal year 2003, AMR transported nearly one of every four ambulance patients statewide. More than 18,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs and other professionals transport over four million patients each year in emergency, critical and non-emergency situations; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize this caring and compassionate professional who has brought honor to his company, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Joel Ellzie of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, upon being selected as a recipient of the prestigious national "Stars of Life" Award for 2005-2006 by American Medical Response and the American Ambulance Association, and extend to him the best wishes of the Senate in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Joel Ellzie and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.