LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Donald Bender upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of
dedicated service to the Mattydale Volunteer Fire Department

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
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, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Donald
Bender upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Mattydale Volunteer Fire
Department; and
WHEREAS, Determined to help others from the beginning, Donald Bender
joined the Mattydale Volunteer Fire Department when he was a teenager;
and
WHEREAS, Donald Bender has striven to fulfill the mission of every
firefighter to protect the lives and property of the members of the
community; and
WHEREAS, A lifetime resident of Mattydale, New York, Donald Bender
rose through the ranks of the Mattydale Volunteer Fire Department from
Lieutenant to Assistant Chief; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Donald Bender held positions such as Treasurer,
Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners throughout his
tenure; currently, he is serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees;
and
WHEREAS, Always illustrating his desire to help others, as a retired
member of the Syracuse Fire Department, Donald Bender was the first
person to dispatch calls for both Onondaga County and the Syracuse Fire
Department; and
WHEREAS, Donald Bender's accomplishments, sacrifices, and actions
extend beyond his duties as a firefighter; volunteering and giving back
to one's community is a strong tradition of the Bender family; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his loved ones, the fire department, the church,
and community, Donald Bender truly exemplifies his desire to help anyone
he can and continues his unwavering call to protect and serve; 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; Donald
Bender 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 Donald Bender for 50 years of distinguished service;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Donald Bender.