Bill Text: NY J02090 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Honoring Richard A. Duerr, Sr., upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after many years of dedicated service to the Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-03 - ADOPTED [J02090 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02090-Introduced.html

Senate Resolution No. 2090

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        HONORING  Richard A. Duerr, Sr., upon the occasion
        of his designation  for  special  recognition  after
        many  years  of  dedicated  service to the Volunteer
        Fire Police Association of the State of New York

  WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are  inspired  by  and
indebted  to  our  noble  volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day  in  the  course  of  their  duties;  New  York  State
firefighters  are  renowned  throughout  the Nation; their reputation is
synonymous with excellence in the arduous field of fire  protection  and
prevention; and

  WHEREAS,   Volunteer  firefighters  exemplify  the  power  of  human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit  through  actions  of
the   most   heroic  magnitude;  their  sacrifices  and  their  selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of  this  great
country; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Richard A.
Duerr, Sr., upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after many years of dedicated  service  to  the  Volunteer  Fire  Police
Association  of the State of New York (VFPASNY), to be celebrated at its
72nd Annual Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn, located  in  Watertown,
New York, from April 25-28, 2024; and

  WHEREAS,  A  resident  of Camden, New York, Richard A. "Dick" Duerr,
Sr., proudly served his country as a Communications Yeoman Second  Class
in the United States Navy from 1965-1969; and

  WHEREAS,  Active  in  his  community,  Richard  A.  Duerr,  Sr., has
volunteered for 51 years of his life as a  firefighter  for  the  Camden
Volunteer  Fire  Department where he has held the positions of Assistant
Chief, all business titles,  and  Fire  Police  Captain  for  26  years;
additionally, he has been a member of American Legion Post No. 66 for 26
years; and

  WHEREAS,  A  Life Member of the Volunteer Fire Police Association of
the State of New York, Richard A. Duerr,  Sr.,  serves  as  its  current
President, the esteemed position he previously held from 2013-15; he has
also  served  as  the Association's Editor for the VFPASNY Newspaper and
Chairman with the Fire Police Seminar; and

  WHEREAS, As a dedicated member of the Oneida County  Volunteer  Fire
Police  Association,  Richard  A. Duerr, Sr., has fulfilled the roles of
Past President, Life Member, Originator of the Task Force, and  Chaplain
of  the Association, to name a few; furthermore, for three years, he has
been a part of the New  York  State  Chaplains  Association,  conducting
various memorial and funeral services; and

  WHEREAS,  For  the Oneida County Volunteer Firefighters Association,
Richard A. Duerr, Sr., has been the Director from the  Camden  Volunteer
Fire  Department, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chaplain; he is also a member of

the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY),  teaching
a Fire Police Review class in numerous counties of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Additionally,  Richard  A.  Duerr,  Sr.,  has  served  his
community in more personal ways, including acting  as  Santa  Claus  for
various  organizations  and occasionally driving a school bus for Camden
Central School; and

  WHEREAS, Numerous awards have been bestowed upon Richard  A.  Duerr,
Sr.,  over the years, including the George Woodman Award for Excellence,
seven President's Awards  for  Community  and  Fire  Police  Leadership,
VFPASNY  Fire  Police  Officer  of  the Year Award, and certificates and
plaques for appreciation and recognition; he has also received a special
certificate for 50 years of service; and

  WHEREAS, A member of the Volunteer Fire Police Association,  Richard
A.    Duerr,  Sr.,  has  given  freely  and  passionately  of  his time,
expertise, and knowledge in furthering the training  of  volunteer  fire
police throughout the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Richard  A.  Duerr,  Sr.,  has consistently demonstrated a
level of commitment, dedication, integrity,  and  professionalism  which
truly  exemplifies excellence in the volunteer service; he has given not
only of his time and energies but also of his competence,  intelligence,
and  leadership  and consequently has been designated for special honor;
and

  WHEREAS, Richard A. Duerr, Sr., was married  to  Nancy  Jane  (Cole)
Duerr until her death in 2016; one of his two sons, Richard Allan Duerr,
Jr.,  also passed in 2017; his other son, Robert, and two granddaughters
are among the family and friends who know this selfless firefighter  and
feel privileged to be a part of his life, rejoicing in his achievements;
and

  WHEREAS,  Rare  indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Richard A.  Duerr,  Sr.,  has
displayed throughout his life; and

  WHEREAS,  It  takes  a  special  dedication, a strong desire to help
others, and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time  with
family  and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
Richard A. Duerr, Sr., is such a firefighter; throughout  his  years  of
devoted  service,  this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond
the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task  of  fire
protection; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Richard A. Duerr, Sr., upon the occasion of  his  designation  for
special  recognition  after  many  years  of  dedicated  service  to the
Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Richard A. Duerr, Sr., President, Volunteer  Fire  Police
Association of the State of New York.
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