LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bob Nevins upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 49th Annual Four Chaplains Brotherhood
Award celebrated on Sunday, February 23, 2014

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energy and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Bob Nevins has given not only of his time and energy but also
of his competence, intelligence and leadership and, consequently, has
been designated for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Bob Nevins
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 49th Annual
Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award by the Jewish War Veterans of the
United States of America Post No. 105 at its memorial service held at
the Samuel S. Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chapel on Sunday,
February 23, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award is given annually to an
individual for outstanding participation and service in activities which
exemplify the principles of brotherhood; and
WHEREAS, The Four Chaplains gave their lives in the sinking of the
troopship Dorchester on February 3, 1943; the Brotherhood Award honors
residents of the Capital District whose services and devotion in the
practice of brotherhood are deserving of recognition; and
WHEREAS, Bob Nevins served his country as a member of the United
States Army, admirably performing the duties of medical evacuation heli-
copter pilot for the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, After returning to civilian life, he retired early from his
job as commercial airline pilot and started the non-profit charity Sara-
toga Warhorse, in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Saratoga Warhorse offers a three-day, therapeutic horse
training experience to veterans making the difficult adjustment back to
civilian life; the cost of this program is entirely covered for quali-
fied veterans; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable program pairs veterans with off-the-track
thoroughbreds through a non-traditional approach culminating in a life
altering experience; a focus is placed on communicating in the horse's
own language, creating a trusting relationship and emotionally empower-
ing returning soldiers suffering from the stresses of war; and
WHEREAS, Bob Nevins has dedicated his post-military life to translat-
ing his extraordinary talent with horses into an innovative program to
help veterans struggling with the deep, invisible wounds of Post-Trau-
matic Stress Disorder; under this program many veterans have seen a
stark reduction in the symptoms of depression and PTSD; and
WHEREAS, Saratoga Warhorse has been the subject of growing scientific
research and has been featured in an award winning documentary; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Bob Nevins has displayed throughout
his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the vitality and well-being of their community and its citizens,
and have shown a long and sustained commitment to humanitarianism, have
certainly earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bob Nevins upon the occasion of his designation as the recipient
of the 49th Annual Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award celebrated on
Sunday, February 23, 2014; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bob Nevins.