Senate Resolution No. 2125

BY: Senator KAPLAN

        COMMENDING  ex-Chief Paul Gerner upon the occasion
        of his designation for special recognition after  50
        years of dedicated service to the New Hyde Park Fire
        Department

  WHEREAS,  The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their  reputation  is  synonymous  with  excellence  in  the
arduous field of fire protection and prevention; and

  WHEREAS,  Since  the  early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great  Nation's  efforts  to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend outgoing ex-Chief
Paul Gerner upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the New Hyde Park Fire Department
to  be  celebrated  at its Annual Inspection Dinner on Saturday, May 14,
2022, at Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Paul Gerner was appointed membership to the New  Hyde  Park
Fire  Department on August 22, 1972, where he served as Deputy Chief and
Chief of the Department; he has  also  been  an  active  member  of  the
Estates Engine Company No. 3, serving as Captain, 1st and 2nd Lieutenant
as well as Company Secretary; and

  WHEREAS,  Volunteer  firefighters  and  fire  departments  not  only
provide the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other
activities of great benefit  and  importance  to  the  communities  they
serve; 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;
Joseph Papa is one such firefighter;  throughout  his  five  decades  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
commend ex-Chief Paul Gerner for 50 years of  distinguished  service  to
the New Hyde Park Fire Department; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ex-Chief Paul Gerner.