LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Charles W. Higgins upon
the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 60 years
of dedicated service to the Horicon Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.,
Brant Lake, New York

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Charles
W. Higgins upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 60 years of dedicated service to the Horicon Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc., to be celebrated at its Annual Banquet on Friday,
April 24, 2009, at Jimbo's, Brant Lake, New York; and
WHEREAS, Charles Wesley Higgins, affectionately known to all as Jack,
was born on May 23, 1924, in Ticonderoga, New York; he grew up in Brant
Lake and attended Horicon Central School; and
WHEREAS, Jack Higgins served his country as a Captain with the United
States Army from 1942 until 1945 when he was Honorably Discharged at
Fort Dix Separation Center; and
WHEREAS, During his military career, Captain Higgins served overseas
for 22 months in such areas as Normandy, France and also in Belgium,
Holland, and Germany; he was awarded a Victory Ribbon, E.T.O. Ribbon,
American Theater of War, Good Conduct Ribbon, and Five Bronze Stars; and
WHEREAS, After returning home, Jack Higgins married Eleanor Bolton in
1949 and began working for Driving Express; he later worked for the
Horicon Town Highway and the Horicon Central School as a bus driver; and
WHEREAS, After seven years serving as the Town of Horicon's Tax
Collector, Jack Higgins went into business for himself trucking shavings
and blocks, among other things; and
WHEREAS, Jack Higgins is the proud father of six children, Linda,
Kenny, Bob, Debbie, Don, and Patricia, and the loving grandfather of 11
grandchildren, Laurie, Anita, Alison, Tate, Travis, Courtney, Kyle,
Ashley, Shawn, Amanda, and Alishia, and four great-grandchildren, Chel-
sea, Gabriel, Jack, and Justin, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Although very busy with everyday life and a growing family,
Jack Higgins found the time to be a volunteer fireman, but like every-
thing else in his life, he was and still is not just any ordinary fire-
man; he is a Charter member of the Horicon Fire Department, served as
Fire Chief for five years; and as amazing as it may sound, he never
missed a fire call in 18 years; and
WHEREAS, On April 21, 1998, Jack Higgins was recognized as VIP of the
Year for the Town of Horicon and, from that year on, every April 21st
has been officially recognized as Jack Higgins Day in the Town of Hori-
con; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Jack Higgins, who will be 85 years old this year,
is still the top responder for fire calls within the Horicon Volunteer
Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; 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; Jack
Higgins is such a firefighter; throughout 60 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 Charles W. Higgins for 60 years of distinguished
service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Charles W. Higgins, Brant Lake, New York.