Honor Richard DuMond

Senate Resolution No. 1270 BY: Senator BONACIC HONORING Richard DuMond upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Region 4 Wayne W. Jones Award of Excellence WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those individuals and organizations within the great State of New York that are dedicated to the vital work of environmental protection; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Richard DuMond upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Region 4 Wayne W. Jones Award of Excellence; and WHEREAS, This prestigious award is named after Wayne W. Jones, the sportsman education program administrator for New York from 1992-2008; throughout his tenure, he achieved many significant accomplishments for the program, not the least of which was his work on the international level to develop online educational tools and national standards for course content; and WHEREAS, Richard DuMond, affectionately known to his friends and family as Dick, is receiving this award for his advancement of the sportsman education programs by enhancing students' understanding and enjoyment of our wildlife resources by creating awareness of responsibilities and instilling a respect for wildlife, habitat, non-hunters, hunters, and themselves; and by enhancing public understanding and acceptance of hunting and trapping as legitimate public recreation activities and as appropriate wildlife management practices; and WHEREAS, As a sportsman educator, Dick DuMond has made substantial improvements to program operations or classroom activities, collaborated with other groups across traditional program boundaries to expand the sportsman education program's audience, and worked above and beyond required job descriptions, exceeding expectations and achieving noteworthy results within an accelerated or impressive timeline, as well as developed innovative techniques which demonstrate best practices and/or serve as a model to inspire others to outstanding achievement; and WHEREAS, Dick DuMond has been an active Sportsman Education Instructor for 52 years, assisting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with implementing its new instructor training classes, as well as mentoring instructor apprentices on the use of advanced education methods and techniques; and WHEREAS, A Master Instructor, DuMond is also the Delaware County Sportsman Education Coordinator, supplying local instructors with the materials and equipment necessary to conduct accurate and comprehensive sportsman education classes; and WHEREAS, Dick DuMond is always willing to go above and beyond for the program, and his enthusiasm and dedication makes him a model for future volunteers; and WHEREAS, All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must pass one or more specific courses before obtaining a New York State hunting license; DEC-certified instructors teach safe and responsible firearms conduct and skills while stressing the important role hunters and trappers play in conserving our renewable natural resources; and WHEREAS, Volunteer instructors provide invaluable support to the implementation of New York State's sportsman education program, which DEC credits with helping to produce the safest generation of hunters on record; the hunting incident rates, per 100,000 hunters, over the last five years have been the lowest on record since statistics started being compiled in 1958; and WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a period of constructive involvement, Dick DuMond has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud the efforts of individuals such as Dick DuMond who have committed themselves to enhancing opportunities for others to enjoy outdoor sports for the benefit of present and future generations of New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Richard DuMond upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Region 4 Wayne W. Jones Award of Excellence; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Richard DuMond.