Senate Resolution No. 736 BY: Senator MARTINS COMMENDING ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Williston Park 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 commend ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service as a member of Company 3 with the Williston Park Fire Department to be celebrated at its Annual Inspection Dinner on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, New York; and WHEREAS, Richie Shannon Jr. joined the Williston Park Fire Department on February 6, 1973; throughout his 50 years of service, he held several positions within the Department including: ERS Lieutenant (1979-1980) and Captain (1989-1992); Company No. 3 2nd Lieutenant (1982-1983), 1st Lieutenant (1983-1985), and Captain (1985-1987); Department 2nd Assistant Chief (1992-1994), 1st Assistant Chief (1994-1996), and Chief (1996-1998); as well as Drill Team Captain for many years; and WHEREAS, On January 25, 1990, ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr. was one of the many dedicated firefighters to respond to the Avianca Flight 52 crash in Long Island; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill of hazardous materials; 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; Richie Shannon Jr. is one such firefighter; throughout 50 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 commend ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Williston Park Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr.