Senate Resolution No. 736

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMENDING ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr. upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Williston
Park 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 commend ex-Chief
Richie Shannon Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 50 years of dedicated service as a member of Company 3
with the Williston Park Fire Department to be celebrated at its Annual
Inspection Dinner on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the Milleridge Inn in
Jericho, New York; and

WHEREAS, Richie Shannon Jr. joined the Williston Park Fire
Department on February 6, 1973; throughout his 50 years of service, he
held several positions within the Department including: ERS Lieutenant
(1979-1980) and Captain (1989-1992); Company No. 3 2nd Lieutenant
(1982-1983), 1st Lieutenant (1983-1985), and Captain (1985-1987);
Department 2nd Assistant Chief (1992-1994), 1st Assistant Chief
(1994-1996), and Chief (1996-1998); as well as Drill Team Captain for
many years; and

WHEREAS, On January 25, 1990, ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr. was one of
the many dedicated firefighters to respond to the Avianca Flight 52
crash in Long Island; 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, 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;
Richie Shannon Jr. is one such 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 ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr. upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the
Williston Park Fire Department; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ex-Chief Richie Shannon Jr.