Assembly Resolution No. 880

BY: M. of A. McMahon

HONORING Firefighter James Saxer upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition after 50
years of dedicated service to the Main-Transit 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 Saxer upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Main-Transit Fire Department,
to be celebrated in 2026; and

WHEREAS, On August 4, 1975, James Saxer made the courageous decision
to serve his local community by joining the Main-Transit Fire
Department; and

WHEREAS, James Saxer has consistently demonstrated a level of
commitment, dedication, integrity and professionalism which truly
exemplifies excellence in the volunteer service; and

WHEREAS, Born and raised in Williamsville, New York, James Saxer and
his beloved wife, Karen, had the pleasure of raising their two children,
Kristin and Scott; filled with the same sense of duty as their father,
Kristin is a member of the Main-Transit Auxiliary and Scott is a life
member and past president of the Main-Transit Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, Outside of his commitment as a volunteer firefighter, James
Saxer spent the majority of his career working at Tony Martin Awards;
around his community, James Saxer enjoys coaching youth basketball,
baseball, and softball; and

WHEREAS, James Saxer has served the Main-Transit Fire Department in
various capacities, including as fire lieutenant, captain, financial
secretary, vice president, director, line clerk, benevolent association
trustee, manager of the banquet facility, and, most recently, fire
police captain; and

WHEREAS, James Saxer assisted in establishing the Main-Transit Fire
Department Explorer Post, which is now the Juniors Program; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his official positions, James Saxer has also
served on and chaired numerous committees, including the committees on
Fire Station Renovations, Membership, Annual Installation, State and
Local Tournament, Truck Replacement, Activities, By-Laws, and Explorer
Post Senior Advisor; and


WHEREAS, James Saxer was also a member of the Slo-Pokes Drill Team
when it was reinstated in the mid-1970s, and he was previously a member
of the Main-Transit Fire Department bowling team and softball team; and

WHEREAS, For the past 45 years, James Saxer has remained as one of
Main-Transit Fire Department's top three shift call responders; for two
of those years, he has made 100% of 3rd shift calls; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his hard work and dedication, James Saxer
is a recipient of the George Karl Lifetime Achievement Award; 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;
James Saxer 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
honor Firefighter James Saxer upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the
Main-Transit Fire Department; and be it further

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