LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Team Rubicon for their dedication to
volunteerism and helping others in emergency situations and disasters

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to the dedicated efforts of those individuals from across the State of
New York who volunteer their time and energies in service to the commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Team
Rubicon for their dedication to volunteerism and helping others in emer-
gency situations and disasters; and
WHEREAS, Team Rubicon is an organization of military veterans who work
with first responders around the world in response to emergency situ-
ations and disasters; and
WHEREAS, After a tornado tore through the areas of Duanesburg and
Delanson on May 22, 2014, the damage left behind to Nicole Burian's
Delanson home was overwhelming; members of Team Rubicon joined other
volunteers to sort debris at her home to speed up the work and cut down
on cost; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Team Rubicon provided help to Nicole Burian's
neighbor, Steve Guernsey, whose barn was damaged, to keep his animals
safe from the devastation; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Team Rubicon went to Duanesburg to help a family
there whose home was destroyed; and
WHEREAS, Through Team Rubicon, hundreds of United States military
veterans, many returning home after ten years of war, find a renewed
sense of purpose for their skills and experiences; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception in January of 2010, Team Rubicon has
impacted thousands of lives in countries around the world, and in the
United States; the volunteers reach victims outside the scope of where
traditional aid organizations venture, victims on the fringe; and
WHEREAS, Team Rubicon sets itself apart in the nonprofit world,
pioneering a new paradigm in disaster response while redefining the
meaning of veteran reintegration into society; and
WHEREAS, Team Rubicon established the concept of Veteran-Focused
Disaster Response; natural disasters present many of the same problems
which confront troops in Iraq and Afghanistan including: unstable popu-
lations, limited resources, horrific sights, sounds, and smells; the
skills cultivated on those same battlefields, emerging medicine, risk
assessment, and mitigation, teamwork and decisive leadership, are vital
in disaster zones; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism is an essential element of all societies; it
provides a way in which the human values of community, caring and serv-
ing can be sustained and strengthened; and
WHEREAS, Volunteerism promotes family and community solidarity; most
importantly, people who volunteer their time in civic and charitable
endeavors inspire others to the call of volunteerism; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
altruistic individuals and organizations it wishes to acknowledge for
their philanthropic contributions to our society which enhance the basic
humanity among us all; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Team Rubicon for their dedication to volunteerism and helping
others in emergency situations and disasters; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Team Rubicon.