Assembly Resolution No. 1140

BY: M. of A. Blankenbush

HONORING Forest Ranger Luke Evans upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Raymond Murray Award by the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation, Division
of Forest Protection

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those exemplary public servants who devote their lives to
preserving and protecting such values; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Forest
Ranger Luke Evans upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Raymond Murray Award by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, Division of Forest Protection, to be
celebrated at its Forest Ranger Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 29,
2018, at the Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, The highest fulfillment of the position of New York State
Forest Ranger, the Raymond Murray Award is presented to sworn members
who, by a conspicuous act of valor, courage, integrity, resourcefulness
and bravery in the protection of our natural resources and/or the safety
of public, clearly set them apart from other persons; and

WHEREAS, On the afternoon of October 16, 2016, Ranger Luke Evans
received a call from Lewis County 911 requesting assistance for a woman
entrapped in her kayak near Knife's Edge on the Moose River in the Town
of Lyonsdale, an area which is characterized by turbulent waters and
rock ledges; and

WHEREAS, The woman and seven friends were participating in Moosefest
2016, when she missed her line and became submerged in her kayak facing
upstream pinned against a large boulder; with her spray skirt caught
between a rock and the kayak, her fellow kayakers fought to keep her
head above water; and

WHEREAS, Ranger Luke Evans immediately responded, carrying his throw
bag and hiking upstream for a quarter mile before arriving on the scene;
upon assessing the situation, he quickly formulated a plan of action;
and

WHEREAS, After his initial attempt to rescue the woman was
unsuccessful, Ranger Luke Evans, an avid kayaker, remained calm and made
the split second decision to throw the bag to a Lewis County Sheriff's
Deputy who was downstream along the riverbank with four other people;
and

WHEREAS, Ranger Luke Evans then coordinated the next attempt, giving
direction to the others involved; the woman was successfully plucked
from her kayak and pulled to shore; and

WHEREAS, So aptly demonstrating his character and compassion for the
welfare of others, Ranger Luke Evans truly merits the grateful tribute
of this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should
give special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the
betterment of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic
actions performed by the Forest Rangers of this great Empire State; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Forest Ranger Luke Evans upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Raymond Murray Award by the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation, Division of Forest Protection; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Forest Ranger Luke Evans.