LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Darrell Williams upon the
occasion of receiving the 2009 Fireman of the Year Award from the St.
Lawrence County Chiefs' Association

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our valiant firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery
every day in the course of their duties; and
WHEREAS, 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Firefighter Darrell Williams of the Hannawa Falls Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment upon the occasion of receiving the 2009 Fireman of the Year Award
from the St. Lawrence County Chiefs' Association; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Hannawa Falls Volunteer Fire Department
will pay tribute to Darrell Williams for this most prestigious achieve-
ment at its annual Testimonial Dinner to be held at the Hannawa Falls
Hounds Haven on Saturday, April 24, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Darrell Williams proudly joined the Hannawa Falls Volunteer
Fire Department when it was first organized in the 1960s and is one of
the few remaining charter members who still plays an active role in the
Department; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader who has devoted his life to fire service,
Darrell Williams has served the Hannawa Falls Volunteer Fire Department
in various leadership positions including: Third Assistant Chief, Second
Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief and Chief; and
WHEREAS, Today, Darrell Williams continues to respond to all calls and
even tries to achieve a faster response time than newer members; he has
even set up a new training system for all the Department's young
recruits just entering fire service; he takes and arranges a training
date with each and every new member to educate them and help them get
acquainted with the many new pieces of equipment and vehicles that they
will use; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the ardu-
ous 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, 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, 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; Darrell
Williams 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 Darrell Williams upon the occasion of receiving the
2009 Fireman of the Year Award from the St. Lawrence County Chiefs'
Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Darrell Williams.