Honor James J. Hanson's Legacy

Senate Resolution No. 3697 BY: Senator BONACIC MOURNING the death of James J. Hanson, Jr., family man, distinguished veteran, volunteer firefighter, and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works of those patriotic and civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives and careers to the service of others; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to publicly mourn the death of those prominent citizens whose lifework and purposeful endeavors have served to enrich and enhance the quality and character of life for others in their community and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, It is with feelings of great sorrow and deepest regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of James J. Hanson, Jr., family man, distinguished veteran, volunteer firefighter, and devoted member of his community; and WHEREAS, James J. Hanson, Jr. of Yulan, New York, died on Saturday,

December 30, 2017, at the age of 36; and WHEREAS, James J. Hanson, Jr., affectionately known to his friends and family as JJ, was born on March 28, 1981, in Port Jervis, New York, to James J. Hanson and Doreen (Kreidell) Hanson; and WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. and his three sisters were raised in Yulan, where he attended Eldred Central School; after graduating, he earned his bachelor's degrees in both political science and international studies from Wilkes University in 2003; and WHEREAS, Later, JJ Hanson, Jr. furthered his education by obtaining a Masters in Public Administration with a specialization in public management and finance from Rockefeller College at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany; and WHEREAS, Following college, JJ Hanson, Jr. was accepted to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Officer Candidate School; he proudly served his country as a USMC Infantry Officer, assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; and WHEREAS, Throughout his four years of meritorious service, Officer Hanson, Jr. was deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Pacific region where he served as a Platoon Commander, and to Ar Ramadi Iraq as a Company Executive Officer as part of the "Surge" in the 2006 effort to defend the new Iraqi government in the Al Anbar province of Iraq; JJ completed his service with the USMC in 2007, having achieved the rank of Captain; and WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. then began his esteemed career with New York State Governor's Office, where he worked for former Governors Elliot Spitzer and David Paterson; he held the position of Regional Director in the Hudson Valley Region of New York supporting the Governor's budget and public policy initiatives and working with community leaders to elevate regional public policy concerns to the Governor's Office; and WHEREAS, Under Governor Paterson, JJ Hanson, Jr. managed the regional affairs program for all of New York State outside of New York City; and WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. then joined the administration of Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein; in his role as both Deputy Budget Director and Budget Director/Deputy County Executive, he successfully managed numerous important projects for the County Executive; and WHEREAS, In 2013, JJ Hanson, Jr. decided to make a change in his life, and moved to Florida, where he worked for Avesta Communities, a property management and investment company; and WHEREAS, After being diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme (GM) in

2014, JJ Hanson, Jr. chose to remain strong and began the fight of his life; his positive energy and attitude served as an inspiration to people all over the country; and WHEREAS, In 2016, JJ Hanson, Jr. established the Can't Hurt Steel Community Foundation, a part of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties; he was also a member of the Voices Against Brain Cancer Board of Directors, and held the title of President of the Patients' Rights Action Fund, where he diligently fought for compassionate care for patients facing disease and disability; and WHEREAS, Even on his bad days, JJ Hanson, Jr. picked himself up and diligently worked to better his beloved community as a member of several local organizations including Beaverbrook Rod and Gun Club, the Sullivan County Charter Commission, Knights of Columbus, and the Boys and Girls Club of Orange and Sullivan Counties; and WHEREAS, Always available to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, JJ Hanson, Jr. was a volunteer firefighter with the Yulan Fire Department, Stone Ridge Fire Department, and Pensacola Fire Department; and WHEREAS, JJ Hanson, Jr. truly lived his life to the fullest; he loved the warmth of the sun on his face when he opened his eyes in the morning, and marveled at the sparkle of the stars before he went to bed at night; he loved his family, his faith and his community with his heart and soul; and WHEREAS, A role model and inspiration for all, JJ Hanson, Jr. is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Kristen Ann; two sons, James and Lucas; his parents James and Doreen Hanson, Sr.; three sisters, Meg (Keith) Blaut, Katie (Joe) Wilcox, and Shannon; mother and father-in-law, Barbara and Andrew Klufas; one brother-in-law, Nick (Kayla) Klufas; two nieces, Keegan and Mary; two nephews, Keith Patrick and Logan; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as a legion of friends, fellow firefighters and veterans who will long cherish his memory; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, JJ Hanson, Jr. leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of James J. Hanson, Jr., family man, distinguished veteran, volunteer firefighter, and devoted member of his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of James J. Hanson, Jr.