Honor Junior Firefighter Tavares

Senate Resolution No. 1368 BY: Senator PHILLIPS COMMENDING Nicolas Tavares upon the occasion of his designation as the 2017 Junior Firefighter of the Year by the Mineola Junior Fire Department WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Nicolas Tavares upon the occasion of his designation as the 2017 Junior Firefighter of the Year by the Mineola Junior Fire Department to be celebrated at its 15th Annual Junior's Installation Dinner on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at its Department Hall in Mineola, New York; and WHEREAS, The Mineola Junior Fire Department, an Explorer Post of the Boy Scouts of America, was organized in April of 1976; since its inception, thousands of young men and women from Mineola and its neighboring communities have participated in this vital program; and WHEREAS, The junior firefighters train each week on Sunday mornings and Monday nights; they participate in both hands on, as well as classroom training where they learn all aspects of becoming a firefighter such as fire suppression, search and rescue, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), aerial operations, ground ladders, first aid, and public relations; and WHEREAS, As the Captain of the Mineola Junior Fire Department, Nicolas Tavares is dedicated to learning new skills, and becoming the best firefighter he can be; he is always available to help his fellow junior firefighters, and likes to serve his community in a variety of capacities; and WHEREAS, When Nicolas Tavares is not training at the fire station or attending a Department function, he helps take care of his younger sister, and is a reader at the Corpus Christi Church; and WHEREAS, Nicolas Tavares is a hard working sophomore at Mineola High School, where he is a member of the track team; in addition to running, he enjoys practicing tae kwon do; a second degree black belt, he is a volunteer junior instructor at his tae kwon do dojang; and WHEREAS, Nicolas Tavares is looking forward to joining the Mineola Fire Department, and aspires to serve our great Nation after graduation; 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; Nicolas Tavares desires to be such a firefighter; and WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, Nicolas Tavares now stands honorably, with just pride in his accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by Senior Firefighters, mentors, and his parents; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Nicolas Tavares upon the occasion of his designation as the 2017 Junior Firefighter of the Year by the Mineola Junior Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Junior Firefighter Nicolas Tavares.