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
10, 1962, where he is a life member and has served as 2nd Lieutenant,
1st Lieutenant, Captain and Chief; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner of the Chester Fire Department from July 18,
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
28 years of distinguished service to the Chester Fire District; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Commissioner Bill Murray.