LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Rick McDermott upon the occasion
of his induction into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame

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 justly proud to congratulate Rick
McDermott upon the occasion of his induction into the New York State
Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1983, the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame
was formed to seek out and honor those individuals who not only have
exhibited genuine excellence in hunting, fishing, trapping, and related
outdoor sports, but have demonstrated sincere and continuing dedication
to natural resources conservation; and
WHEREAS, Inductees into this prestigious institution are honored "not
for what they have taken, but for what they have given"; and
WHEREAS, Rick McDermott through his numerous contributions to the
areas of wildlife conservation, public policy, hunting safety, and youth
education is fully deserving of this distinguished honor; and
WHEREAS, For several years, Rick McDermott has served as an officer on
the board of directors of the Conservation Alliance of New York, active-
ly helping to fulfill the organization's mission to secure access to
hunting, fishing, trapping, and other sustainable activities for those
who use New York's renewable natural resources; he is also a board
member and officer of the Oswego County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs,
as well as the Albion Rod and Gun Club; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man has admirably taught hunting safety and
good stewardship to the next generation of outdoorsmen for a number of
years; he was responsible for coordinating the joint youth pheasant hunt
with CANY, Oswego Federation, NWTF and the Onondaga County Federation of
Sportsmen's Clubs; these efforts were integral in ensuring that over 100
young adults were instructed on safe practices for pheasant hunting; and
WHEREAS, Rick McDermott is the founder of the New York State Crossbow
Coalition; he has devoted much of his own time and resources to promot-
ing the crossbow as a legal hunting implement in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Rick McDermott's hard work and advocacy for the legalization
of crossbow hunting was successful as crossbows were legalized in the
2014-2015 New York State Budget; and
WHEREAS, In addition to advocating for crossbow legalization, Rick
McDermott has played an integral role in advocating for other sportmen's
issues in Central New York and in Albany; for several years, he has
tirelessly coordinated bus trips to Albany; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Rick McDermott organized transportation for over 225
sportsmen and women from Oswego and Onondaga counties to travel to Alba-
ny to protest the NY SAFE Act; and
WHEREAS, Considered a bridge builder by many, Rick McDermott has
forged good relationships between federations and other sporting organ-
izations; the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs awarded
him their highest honor, Conservationist of the Year, in 2013, though he
is not a resident of the county; and
WHEREAS, Rick McDermott has also received awards from the Oswego Coun-
ty Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and was recognized as the New York
State Conservation Council's 2013 NYSCC Volunteer Conservationist of the
Year; and

WHEREAS, Rick McDermott has dedicated a lifetime of giving back to the
pursuits of outdoor sports and wildlife conservation; he exemplifies the
spirit of the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Rick McDermott upon the occasion of his induction into the
New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rick McDermott.