File #: Res 1895-2013    Version: * Name: Expressing regret over the manner in which the body of Kevin Bell was treated by an employee of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 8/22/2013
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution expressing regret over the manner in which the body of Kevin Bell was treated by an employee of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner after his tragic death in Woodlawn on June 16, 2013.
Sponsors: G. Oliver Koppell, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Margaret S. Chin, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Vincent J. Gentile, Letitia James, Rosie Mendez, Annabel Palma, Deborah L. Rose, Ydanis A. Rodriguez
Council Member Sponsors: 10
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2013*G. Oliver Koppell City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
8/22/2013*G. Oliver Koppell City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
8/22/2013*G. Oliver Koppell City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 1895
 
 
Resolution expressing regret over the manner in which the body of Kevin Bell was treated by an employee of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner after his tragic death in Woodlawn on June 16, 2013.
 
 
By Council Members Koppell, Arroyo, Chin, Comrie, Gentile, James, Mendez, Palma, Rose and Rodriguez
Whereas, Kevin Bell was from Newry, County Down, Ireland and was the beloved son of Collie and Eithne and cherished brother of Brendan, Sean, Ciara, Eamon, Conor and Maeve; and
Whereas, Mr. Bell was a well-known butcher in William Baird's of Newry before traveling to New York City; and
Whereas, He was a champion Irish dancer who, along with family members, represented the St. Moninna's Gaelic Athletic Club, Killeavy, for many years in the Scór competitions; and
Whereas, Dominic Bradley, a Social Democratic and Labour Party Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh, said, "Kevin was an exceptional young man who brought joy and happiness to his family and to all who knew him"; and
Whereas, Assembly Member Bradley also stated that "he had a great sense of fun and it was a pleasure to be in his company as anyone who knew him will testify"; and
Whereas, Tragically, on June 16, 2013, Mr. Bell was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run in the Woodlawn area of the Bronx; and
Whereas, Pictures after the incident show the body of the deceased being placed into a New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) vehicle along with bags of empty bottles; and
Whereas, This shocking lack of respect for a newly departed person is unacceptable; and
Whereas, The deceased in our city deserve to be treated with dignity and nothing less; and
Whereas, This incident demonstrated unprofessionalism and insensitivity by a staff member of the OCME, a nationally recognized office; and
Whereas, Mr. Bell was well known and much loved both in Ireland and in New York, with hundreds in attendance at a vigil at the accident site and at a memorial service for him at St. Barnabas Church in Woodlawn, the Bronx; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York expresses regret over the manner in which the body of Kevin Bell was treated by an employee of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner after his tragic death in Woodlawn on June 16, 2013.
 
 
CGP
8/13/13
LS #4915