LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Benjamin Sweeney upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of
dedicated service to the Main-Transit Fire Department, Inc. and the Town
of Amherst, 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, 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 Benja-
min Sweeney upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Main-Transit Fire Department,
Inc. and the Town of Amherst, New York; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Sweeney will fittingly be honored at the Depart-
ment's Installation of Officers Dinner on Saturday, February 4, 2012;
and
WHEREAS, A longtime Communication Officer at Fire Station No. 1,
Benjamin Sweeney was one of the most frequent apparatus operators of
Ladder 7, ensuring that the truck got to fire calls; he was also the
longtime Chairman of the "Cane Stand" at the Annual Main-Transit Field
Days; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of the Town of Amherst and a fixture of
the Williamsville, New York community, Benjamin Sweeney worked for Jim
Culligan Pontiac for over 40 years; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife Sheila and their four
children, Ben Jr., Dawn, Jim, and Amy, all of whom are proud to be part
of his life and rejoice in his many 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; Benja-
min Sweeney 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 Benjamin Sweeney for 50 years of distinguished
service to the Main-Transit Fire Department, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Benjamin Sweeney.