Assembly Resolution No. 776 BY: M. of A. Blankenbush HONORING Firefighter Robert Ross upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 60 years of dedicated service to the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department 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; 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 Firefighter Robert Ross upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 60 years of dedicated service to the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated at its Annual Banquet on Saturday, April 18, 2020; and WHEREAS, Robert Ross joined the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department in 1960, the second generation from the Ross family to serve in the department; and WHEREAS, When Robert Ross first joined the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department, he also became a member of the Hose Company where he raced firematics with the Drill Team in the early 1960s; and WHEREAS, Robert Ross has always been an active member fighting fires and volunteering with fundraisers; to this day, he has served as the Nominating and By-law Committee Chairman for the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, from 1987-1989, Robert Ross served as President of the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department; he also held the position of Recording Secretary for several years, and a Committee member for the Northern New York Volunteer Fire Association as well as a judge for the association's parades; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility their own by serving as firefighters; 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; Robert Ross is one such firefighter; throughout 60 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 Firefighter Robert Ross upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 60 years of dedicated service to the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Firefighter Robert Ross.