WHEREAS, Father Judge students Matt Cywinski and Brian McCann from Holmesburg, John Hladczuk from Torresdale, and Father Judge alumnus Mark Sylvester from Holmesburg, displayed courage and resolve as they risked their own lives while saving the life of a wounded motorist through selfless acts of heroism; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, February 2, 2003, Jeff Ellingsworth was traveling south toward Philadelphia on Bristol Pike, in Bensalem Township, when his car skidded on ice, slammed into a utility pole, and burst into flames. As a result of the crash, Mr. Ellingsworth suffered a broken hip and an injured leg as he slipped in and out of consciousness; and
WHEREAS, The four young men had just left a friend’s house when they spotted Mr. Ellingsworth’s car on fire on the side of the road. They ran across the street; pulled Mr. Ellingsworth through a broken window as fire continued to spread over the car; turned the ignition off, cutting the gas line; went to a nearby house to retrieve a fire extinguisher; and called the police. Within ninety seconds of pulling Mr. Ellingsworth from the wreckage to a safe distance, the entire car was engulfed in flames; and
WHEREAS, Their heroic deed on that fateful evening has led Father Judge Principal, Joseph DeAngelis, to remark “It certainly fits in with the philosophy of [the school’s patron] Saint Francis de Sales in terms of helping others. They’re applying it to their everyday lives.” Now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and commends Father Judge students John Hladczuk, Matt Cywinski, and Brian McCann, as well as Father Judge alumnus Mark Sylvester, for their selfless acts of heroism that saved the life of a wounded motorist.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to John Hladczuk, Matt Cywinski, Brian McCann, and Mark Sylvester, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End