LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Tom Puerschner upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of
dedicated service to the Jeffersonville 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 Tom
Puerschner upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Jeffersonville Fire Depart-
ment; 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, Upon completion of his United States military service,
Jeffersonville, New York native, Tom Puerschner joined the Jefferson-
ville Fire Department in March of 1964; by April of the same year, he
also had a career as a Lineman for New York Telephone, today known as
Verizon, a career he maintained until his retirement in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Tom Puerschner's family roots in the small idyllic Sullivan
County Village of Jeffersonville date back to the 1830s; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, serving as the Department's Chief from 1976 to
1978, Tom Puerschner's father was also a former Jeffersonville Fire
Chief, as well as his brother, and most recently his son, Ed, represent-
ing the third generation of Puerschner Fire Chiefs; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 32 years, Judy, as
well as their four children and seven grandchildren, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; 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; Tom
Puerschner 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 Tom Puerschner for 50 years of distinguished
service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tom Puerschner.