LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Robert McKinney upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of
dedicated service to the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department

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, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Robert
McKinney upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Lake George Volunteer Fire
Department to be celebrated with a dinner on Friday, November 4, 2011,
at the Holiday Inn in Lake George, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, Robert McKinney joined the West Glens Falls Volun-
teer Fire Company; five years later, he moved to Lake George and the
following year, 1963, he became a member of the Lake George Volunteer
Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Robert McKinney was a member for one year before leaving in
1964; he rejoined the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department again in
1967; and
WHEREAS, Over the past five decades, Firefighter Robert McKinney has
served the Department in numerous capacities; in 1974, he held the
esteemed position of Lieutenant before advancing to 2nd Assistant Chief
in 1978, a position he held until 1980; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was a member of the Board of Directors for
many years as well as a member of several other committees; moreover, he
was elected Secretary by the Department, serving for four consecutive
years; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Firefighter Robert McKinney is Fire Police and
Chaplain of the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his service to the Lake George Volunteer Fire
Department, in 1989, Robert McKinney was elected President of the Hudson
Valley Fireman's Association, and in 1997, he was elected Trustee of the
FASNY Firemen's Home, a position he held for 10 years; and
WHEREAS, Robert McKinney has been honored and recognized with a varie-
ty of awards and accolades including the 1982 Phil Wood Award by the
Lake George Fire Department for his outstanding service and community
involvement; the 1991 Citizen of the Year Award by the Village of Lake
George; and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hudson Valley
Firemen's Association; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 56 years, Marie,
who is a life member of the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department's
Ladies Auxiliary, and their six children, Joan (Steve) Sady, the late
Lynn McKinney, Thomas (Kim) McKinney, Donna (Brian) Engle, Patty (fiance
George) McKinney, and Barbara (Chris) McGuirk, as well as 11 grandchil-
dren, Christopher (Penny), Barry-Michael, Tommy, Jr., Anna (Bill),
Bryanna, Jessica, Kyle, Kory, Christopher, Jonathan, and Jacob, and four
great-grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; 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; Robert

McKinney is such a firefighter; throughout 50 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 Robert McKinney for 50 years of distinguished
service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Robert McKinney, Lake George, New York.