Senate Resolution No. 2174

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Firefighter James F. Lehman upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Lowville
Volunteer Fire Department

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer Firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Firefighter
James F. Lehman upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Lowville
Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated at its Annual Party on
Saturday, April 9, 2022; and

WHEREAS, James F. Lehman joined the Lowville Volunteer Fire
Department in 1971 at the age of 25; shortly after joining the
department, he began doing mechanical work on the fire apparatus; he
went on to become lead mechanic, proudly serving in this position until
2021; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, James F. Lehman was elected into the office of
Treasurer where he served for seven years; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he participated on truck committees, helped
out with many fundraising activities and loved to march with the
Department in the Lewis and Jefferson County parades, various field day
parades, and the French Festival parades; and

WHEREAS, This devoted member of his community is still very active
with the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department; he can be found driving any
given piece of fire apparatus to an emergency, flipping pancakes at the
annual pancake breakfast event as well as helping out with fire
prevention activities; and

WHEREAS, Among his many awards and accolades, James F. Lehman earned
the coveted Firefighter of the Year Award in 1991 for his commitment and
dedicated service to the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to the Lowville Volunteer Fire Department,
James F. Lehman's commitment and dedication to serving the public is
without a doubt extraordinary; 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;
James F. Lehman is one such firefighter; throughout five decades 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
honor Firefighter James F. Lehman upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the
Lowville Volunteer Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter James F. Lehman.