Bill Text: NY J00712 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of Nick Springer, gold-medal winning Paralympian, inspirational speaker and devoted member of his community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-05-04 - ADOPTED [J00712 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J00712-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 712

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

        MOURNING  the  death  of Nick Springer, gold-medal
        winning  Paralympian,  inspirational   speaker   and
        devoted member of his community

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding  athletes   who   distinguish   themselves   through   their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative Body records  the  passing  of  Nick  Springer,  noting  the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS, Nick Springer of Croton, New York, died on Wednesday, April
14, 2021, at the age of 35; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  to  Nancy  and Gary Springer, Nick was an active and
fun-loving child who dreamed of playing hockey for the New York Rangers;
unfortunately, at the young  age  of  14,  he  contracted  Meningococcal
Meningitis,  and  consequently,  had both legs amputated above the knees
and both arms to mid-forearm; and

  WHEREAS, Never one to quit or give up, Nick Springer continued to be
active, and quickly learned how to use his limbs in a different way;  he
loved  to  swim  and  scuba dive and during high school, became involved
with wheelchair sports such as snowboarding, sled hockey and rugby; and

  WHEREAS, After  graduating  from  Croton-Harmon  High  School,  Nick
Springer  continued  to  play  Quadriplegic  Wheelchair  Rugby which was
documented in the 2005 documentary "Murderball"; and

  WHEREAS, Nick Springer quickly became an international star, and was
a leading member of Team  USA,  helping  them  to  capture  six  medals,
including  gold  at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and four World Cup golds;
at the 2012 London Paralympics, he and Team USA took  the  bronze  after
falling to arch-rival Canada by one point in the semi-final game; and

  WHEREAS,  For  more  than  a decade, Nick Springer lived in Phoenix,
Arizona, where he helped rebuild the Ability 360 Phoenix Heat wheelchair
rugby club team which went on to win three consecutive national  titles;
and

  WHEREAS,  In  May  of  2010,  Nick  Springer  earned  his  degree in
communications from Eckerd  College  in  St.  Petersburg,  Florida,  and
became  a public speaker, using his charismatic good nature and personal
stories to motivate and persuade audiences about the power of sports  in
disabilities; and

  WHEREAS,  Nick  Springer  spent  the  last few years consulting with
Novartis,  which  was  purchased  by  the  international  pharmaceutical
company  GSK; in this capacity, he traveled throughout the United States
and  across  the  globe,  speaking  to   health   officials,   education
organizations, and others about the need for meningitis vaccination; and


  WHEREAS,   Through   his   tireless   efforts,   Nick  Springer  was
instrumental in passing legislation to support vaccinations against  the
virus; and

  WHEREAS,  Nick  Springer  also  served  as  a  spokesperson  for the
National Meningitis Association (NMA), which his  mother  helped  found,
and Honorary Chairman of the NMA's annual gala, "Give Kids A Shot"; and

  WHEREAS,  When  he was not working or helping someone, Nick Springer
continued to be actively involved  with  the  Phoenix  Heat  and  played
occasional tournaments with a Philadelphia team; and

  WHEREAS, Predeceased by his mother, Nancy, Nick Springer is survived
by  his  father,  Gary,  and  his partner, Elizabeth; one sister, Olivia
(Kevin); and one nephew, Jackson, as well as numerous  other  relatives,
friends  and  athletes who were truly motivated by his passion, kindness
and determination; and

  WHEREAS, A gifted athlete and even better man, Nick Springer  was  a
renowned  role model in the sport of wheelchair rugby; his character and
achievements stand as a sterling example  and  inspiration  to  all  who
would aspire to success; and

  WHEREAS,  Nick  Springer was truly one of a kind; with a strong, yet
humble spirit, he excelled at everything he did, and never  allowed  his
disability to deter him from accomplishing his goals; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Nick Springer leaves behind a legacy which will long  endure
the  passage  of  time  and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  death  of  Nick  Springer,  gold-medal  winning Paralympian,
inspirational speaker and devoted member of his  community;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Nick Springer.