Senate Resolution No. 749 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING Firefighter William J. Baker upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Lee Center 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 Firefighter William J. Baker upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service as a member of the Lee Center Fire Department to be celebrated at its Annual Installation Banquet on Saturday, April 15, 2023; and WHEREAS, William J. "Bake" Baker joined the Lee Center Fire Department on November 1, 1972; throughout his 50 years of service, he held several positions within the Department including Chief at the age of 24 (1979-1980), Lieutenant (1975-1977), Assistant Lieutenant (1978), and President for the last 35 years; and WHEREAS, In addition, William J. Baker has been the Bingo Chairman since 1982, and for many years, he was the Field Day Chairman, and has served on numerous truck committees; and WHEREAS, Throughout his five decades of fire service, William J. Baker has been named Fireman of the Year three times, won best appearing Chief four times at various parades, and successfully used CPR on two patients; and WHEREAS, As a longtime member and coach of the Lee Center Fire Department Softball Team, William J. Baker helped lead his team to four New York State Championships at Fireman's Home on Hudson; and WHEREAS, William J. Baker has been a vital member of numerous firefighting organizations including the New York State Fire Chiefs Association, Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association, Oneida County Fireman's Association, Central New York Fireman's Association, and the New York State Fire Police Association; 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; Firefighter William J. Baker 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 Firefighter William J. Baker upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Lee Center Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Firefighter William J. Baker.