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.