Senate Resolution No. 948

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Brian McQueen upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Chief James P.
Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award by
the National Volunteer Fire Council

WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the
compassion of individuals such as Brian McQueen who uphold the values of
community life and who, through their great actions, epitomize the best
of humanity; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Brian
McQueen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Chief
James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award by the
National Volunteer Fire Council to be celebrated at its Spring Meeting
on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Alexandria, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, On December 24, 2013, Brian McQueen, a very active member
of his county's fire service as a deputy fire coordinator, was diagnosed
with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma; it was soon determined his cancer
was due to his job as a volunteer firefighter; and

WHEREAS, After doing more research on the subject, Brian McQueen
realized that cancer in the fire service was an epidemic, and he was
spurred into action to help his fellow firefighters prevent occupational
cancer and provide assistance for those who receive a cancer diagnosis;
and

WHEREAS, In 2014, following his cancer treatments In New York City,
Brian McQueen met with two area chiefs and created the Believe 271
Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit foundation aimed at assisting volunteer
firefighters and their families in the battle with cancer; to date, this
vital organization has assisted 63 firefighters; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Brian McQueen developed a two-hour Cancer in
the Fire Service training and awareness program which he conducts
throughout New York State and nationally; in this capacity, he has
educated over 6,270 firefighters and their families from across the
country; and

WHEREAS, Brian McQueen has been actively involved in fighting
firefighter occupational cancer; he worked tirelessly to provide
volunteer firefighters with assistance in the event of a cancer
diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man was also instrumental in creating a
national program to track and analyze data relating to firefighter
cancer rates; and

WHEREAS, As a New York Director to the National Volunteer Fire
Council (NVFC), Brian McQueen became co-chair of the NVFC's Cancer Focus
Area along with his close friend, Jim Seavey; from this partnership, the
plan and design for the 11 Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter

Cancer and the corresponding Lavender Ribbon Report became a reality;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Brian McQueen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award by
the National Volunteer Fire Council; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Brian McQueen.