LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Wilquan Burke upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Lindsey Fair Youth Encouragement Award
for his heroic efforts

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of those young people from
the State of New York who take prompt and appropriate action in emergen-
cy situations; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Wilquan Burke upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Lindsey Fair Youth Encouragement Award for his heroic efforts; and
WHEREAS, On Thursday, May 6, 2010, 17-year-old Wilquan Burke, a Fowler
High School student, was honored by the District Attorney's Advisory
Council for alerting 10 residents to a house fire which took place on
October 3, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Wilquan Burke was walking home with a friend early in the
morning on October 3rd when he noticed smoke in the area; as he contin-
ued walking, he noticed one house enveloped in the smoke, where flames
were shooting from the roof area; and
WHEREAS, Wilquan Burke began to yell, "Fire! Fire! Call the police!";
and then, both he and his friend ran to the burning house and began
pounding on the windows and doors to alert any residents inside; one
resident seemed to wave Wilquan off as if he didn't believe there was a
fire, and Wilquan then told the first police officer on the scene that
he believed someone was still inside the burning house; and
WHEREAS, Authorities said the 10 people who had been asleep in the
first-and second-floor apartments at the house, including four children
ranging in age from four years to one month, all escaped unharmed as a
result of Wilquan Burke and his friend's quick action; and
WHEREAS, Veteran Syracuse Police Officer James Stone, the school
resource officer at Fowler High School, said the quick action by Wilquan
Burke and his friend probably saved the residents' lives; Officer Stone
nominated Wilquan for the DAAC award, which was renamed this year in
honor of Fair, a retired county Department of Social Services worker and
DAAC member who died in September of 2009; and
WHEREAS, Once a troubled youth, Wilquan Burke received the help of a
teacher at school, Gwen Raeford, and his basketball coach, Greg Sweeney,
which helped to turn his life around; sports keep him busy, where he is
a small power forward on the varsity basketball team and a member of the
track team, competing in the 400-meter hurdles, the triple jump and the
high jump; he is a true asset to society; and
WHEREAS, Exemplifying the best potential which is inherent in our most
precious resource, our youth, Wilquan Burke has brought enduring honor
to his family and community with his quick-thinking reaction during an
emergency situation; and
WHEREAS, Through his spontaneous and heroic actions, Wilquan Burke
demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the
community of the State of New York who voluntarily respond when others
are in need of help; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Wilquan Burke upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Lindsey Fair Youth Encouragement Award for his heroic efforts; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Wilquan Burke.