LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating February 27, 2010, as African-Amer-
ican Professional Firefighters Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that a great State is
only as great as those individuals who perform exemplary services on
behalf of their community, whether through unique achievement in profes-
sional or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizen-
ship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate Saturday, February 27, 2010, as African-American Professional
Firefighters Day in the State of New York, in the spirit of National
Black History Month; and
WHEREAS, The African-American Professional Firefighters in the City of
Buffalo have been faced with tremendous struggles over the last 40
years; and
WHEREAS, The African-American Professional Firefighters are committed,
dedicated and continue to sacrifice their lives for their community on a
daily basis; and
WHEREAS, The first African-American Professional Firefighters living
in the City of Buffalo have fought hard to pave the way for so many to
follow by fighting for equality for all who were qualified; and
WHEREAS, The Buffalo Fire Department is older than the city itself; it
is the principal fire and rescue service for the City of Buffalo and it
is the largest fire department in Upstate New York; and
WHEREAS, The Buffalo Fire Department traces its roots to the early
bucket brigades, which provided fire services from the early inception
of the Village of Buffalo in the early 1800s, until the creation of the
paid department on July 1, 1880; and
WHEREAS, The first African-American Professional Firefighter was not
hired until 1970; and
WHEREAS, Today, there are 870 firefighters in the City of Buffalo, 150
of which are African-American; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice 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
good works performed by the African-American Professional Firefighters
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate February 27, 2010, as African-American Professional
Firefighters Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the City of Buffalo's African-American Professional Fire-
fighters.