Honor Bill Murray’s Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 709 BY: Senator LARKIN HONORING Commissioner Bill Murray upon the occasion of his retirement after 28 years of distinguished service to the Chester Fire District 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 honor Commissioner Bill Murray upon the occasion of his retirement after 28 years of distinguished service to the Chester Fire District, to be celebrated with a party in his honor on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at The Captains Table, Monroe, New York; and WHEREAS, Bill Murray has dedicated much of his life to volunteering for firematic organizations; he joined Walton Fire Department on July

1988 to December 31, 1999, Bill Murray has also served as the department's Vice President and President; in addition, he has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners and Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners; and WHEREAS, Bill Murray was instrumental in the formation of the Chester Firemen's Benevolent Association in 1971, where he has served as President for more than four decades; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the field of fire protection, Bill Murray is a member of the Orange County Fire Police Association, past president of the Orange County Volunteer Firemen's Association, past president of the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association, past president of the Orange County Fire District Association, and past chairman of the Orange County Fire Advisory Board; and WHEREAS, In addition, he is a founding member of both the Orange County Fire Museum and the Inter County Firemen's Judging Association, as well as a life member of the Hudson Valley Fire Association and the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY); 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; Bill Murray is such a firefighter; throughout 28 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 honor Commissioner Bill Murray upon the occasion of his retirement after