Senate Resolution No. 5262

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING Firefighter Lawrence Rokitka upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to Doyle
Volunteer Hose Company No. 2

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 commend
Firefighter Lawrence Rokitka upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to Doyle
Volunteer Hose Company No. 2; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence Rokitka was a student at Our Lady of Czestochowa
Grammar School and Hutchinson Tech High School; after graduating, he
attended both Erie Community College and SUNY Empire State College; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence "Larry" Rokitka joined Doyle Volunteer Hose
Company No. 2; throughout his 50 years of service, he has held several
positions within the Department including: Chief, 1st Assistant Chief,
2nd Assistant Chief, 3rd Assistant Chief, Vice President and a member of
the Board of Directors; for the past 27 years, he has served as
Secretary; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his many roles with Doyle Volunteer Hose
Company No 2., Lawrence Rokitka held the title of Fire District
Commissioner for 35 years; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to Doyle
Volunteer Hose Company No. 2, Lawrence Rokitka was the recipient of
numerous awards and accolades including the Fireman of the Year Award,
the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Erie County Fire Chiefs' Service
Award; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Cheektowaga, Lawrence Rokitka has been a
faithful parishioner at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church for the last 60
years, formerly serving as a parish trustee; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence Rokitka has held numerous positions within various
local and state agencies including Agency Head of the New York State
Office of General Service in Buffalo, New York; Code Enforcement Officer
for the Housing Department of the Town of Cheektowaga; and an
electrician with Buffalo Electric, Anco Electric and Ferguson Electric;
and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 43 years, the
former Norine Piduch, their two children, Andy and Mary, and their five
grandchildren, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice
in his many achievements; 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;
Lawrence Rokitka is such a firefighter; throughout 50 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
commend Firefighter Lawrence Rokitka upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service
to Doyle Volunteer Hose Company No. 2; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Lawrence Rokitka.