New York Congressman Honors Beer Distribution Driver as Hometown Hero

(L-R): Clare Rose President & CEO Sean Rose; Anthony Nunziata; Congressman Bishop; Clare Rose Senior Vice President Ken Meyer at Clare Rose's Yaphank HeadquartersU.S. Congressman Tim Bishop visited Clare Rose Headquarters in Yaphank, New York, to present a certificate of Congressional Recognition to Anthony Nunziata, a driver who has worked at the beer distribution company for more than 20 years.

In September 2011, Nunziata applied his training as a firefighter to rescue a colleague who was pinned under heavy equipment. Due to Nunziata's quick and skilled action, the severely injured employee is on the road to recovery.

Less than two months later, in November 2011, Nunziata and a co-worker came upon the scene of a tanker truck explosion on the New Jersey Turnpike that filled the night sky with flames that could be seen ten miles away. The accident involved not only the tanker truck carrying 9,000 gallons of gasoline but also a minivan with nine members of a New York family. Both men rushed to free the injured from the mangled vehicles at great risk to their own safety and ultimately saved the lives of all involved. For his heroism, Nunziata was named Firefighter of the Year for 2012 by Brookhaven Fire Department.

"Like all of our volunteer firefighters, Anthony Nunziata is a true hometown hero whose skill and courage has undoubtedly saved lives," Congressman Bishop said in a press release. "We are fortunate to have brave individuals like Anthony serving our community, and I am proud to present him with an official federal recognition for his heroism."

Nunziata also was honored earlier this year by New York State Senator Lee Zeldin who introduced a resolution to publicly thank him for his bravery, public service and heroism.

In remarks on the floor of the New York State Senate, Senator Zeldin recognized Nunziata stating, “Few of us ever have the opportunity to save another person's life. In the span of less than two months, Anthony acted twice to save the lives of almost a dozen people.”

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