Senator Ortt Helps Grieving Mother Attend Memorial

When Senator Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) invited Ms. Barnette Burton to join him in Albany for a ceremonious declaration in honor of her son, Delancey Scott, 47, who froze to death in the November storm, she was overwhelmed with joy. The 63-year-old Niagara Falls resident, however, didn’t have a way to get there and couldn’t afford to pay for the trip.

But, through the generosity of Sen. Ortt, Burton was able to make the trip. She took a 6:30 a.m. train out of Niagara Falls on Monday, Jan. 26 to join Ortt and other state senators in the state capitol remember the 13 lives lost in the deadly snowstorm.

“I’m so honored to be here in memory of my son,” said Burton. “The senator paid for this trip out of pocket, because I couldn’t afford to go. Doing this for Delancey and the others who died in the storm is so special. It means a lot to me and I know it does for my son too. I’m sure he’s up in heaven smiling.”  

Everyone on the Senate floor paused in a moment of silence after the resolution was read.

“The deadly November storm was a tragic event where one life lost was too many,” said Sen. Ortt. “Ms. Burton took a tremendous journey today to honor her son's memory. She came here to recognize her son, Delancey Scott, who we lost in November's tragic storm, and today we mourn. Delancey had a huge heart and left behind a daughter. It is my hope that the actions we take today will help his legacy, and the legacy of all of the victims, live on."

Sen. Ortt sponsored the November Winter Storm of 2014 resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kennedy (D,I,WF-Buffalo).

“Millions of dollars were spent cleaning up from the epic four-day storm that hit our region in November, but the financial costs pale in comparison to the human cost,” said resolution sponsor Sen. Tim Kennedy. “There are now thirteen families with an empty seat at the table, and a hole in their hearts that will never be filled. While we can never ease that pain, the very least we could do at a state level is recognize those lives lost, and make sure that the memories of those Western New Yorkers are never forgotten.”  

Burton said Scott served in the Army and Army National Guard before retiring. He lived in Niagara Falls and is survived by his daughter, brother, sister, mother and father.