LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Michael Fernandes upon the occasion of
his designation as 2012 Junior Firefighter of the Year by the Mineola
Fire Department

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and leaders
of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the ideals
and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Michael Fernandes
upon the occasion of his designation as 2012 Junior Firefighter of the
Year by the Mineola Fire Department to be celebrated at its 10th Annual
Junior's Installation Dinner at its Department Hall in Mineola, New
York, on Saturday, April 21, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Son of 37-year member and former captain Jack Fernandes,
Michael Fernandes has been an enthusiastic and dedicated member of the
Mineola Junior Fire Department since he joined the department in the
summer of 2009 at the age of 14; and
WHEREAS, An 11th grade student at Mineola High School, Michael
Fernandes is an honor roll student who has applied for admission into
the National Honor Society; and
WHEREAS, The Junior Firefighters earn points for completing training
programs and participating in activities; Michael Fernandes is consist-
ently one of the highest point earners in all categories; and
WHEREAS, Michael Fernandes is often the first to volunteer to help out
with any activity or program; he takes his job as Captain seriously and
often offers suggestions to the advisors on ways to improve training
programs and functions planned for the Juniors; and
WHEREAS, Michael was one of 15 juniors who participated in last
summer's cultural exchange program with the Stellingen Junior Fire
Department from Hamburg, Germany; and
WHEREAS, The instructors at the Hamburg Fire Academy selected Michael
Fernandes to be featured on a German news program that followed him and
a German Junior Firefighter as they went through the training exercises
that were set up by the academy; and
WHEREAS, Michael Fernandes plans to become a member of Company No. 1
this summer, where he will join his father as the second member of the
Fernandes family in the Mineola 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; Michael
Fernandes desires to be such a firefighter; and
WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this
Junior Firefighter now stands honorably, with just pride in his accom-
plishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding
and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by Senior Fire-
fighters, mentors, and parents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Michael Fernandes upon the occasion of his designation as 2012
Junior Firefighter of the Year by the Mineola Fire Department; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Junior Firefighter Michael Fernandes.