Senate Resolution No. 1177

BY: Senator MARCELLINO

COMMENDING Ex-Assistant Chief Richard Kaplan
posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition by the Jericho 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 commend
Ex-Assistant Chief Richard Kaplan posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Jericho Fire Department to be
celebrated at its 84th Annual Installation Dinner on Saturday, April 22,
2017 at the Milleridge Cottage in Jericho, New York; and

WHEREAS, Richard Kaplan, a firefighter of 51 years, was an integral
member of the Jericho Fire Department; as the firefighter with the
highest responses in calls, it was well-known that the fire service was
a big part of his life; and

WHEREAS, As he rose through the ranks, Richard Kaplan held numerous
positions within the department including Lieutenant from 1969-1971,
Captain from 1971-1973, Second Assistant Chief from 1973-1975, First
Assistant Chief from 1975-1978, Lieutenant from 1989-1990, Captain from
1990-1991 and Assistant Chief in 1995; additionally, he held the
esteemed position of Commissioner of the Jericho Fire District from
1981-1988; and

WHEREAS, For his devotion and commitment to the Jericho Fire
Department, Richard Kaplan received numerous awards and accolades
including the 50-Year Membership Award in 2016, 2nd Place Most Calls in
1997 and Highest Fire Calls in 1996; he was also honored for his bravery
at the Avianca crash in 1990; 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;
Richard Kaplan was such a firefighter; throughout numerous years of
devoted service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond
the call of duty, those responsibilities which defined the task of fire
protection; and


WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should
give special recognition to those who worked so assiduously for the
betterment of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic
good works performed by the fire departments of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ex-Assistant Chief Richard Kaplan posthumously upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition by the Jericho Fire
Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Ex-Assistant Chief Richard Kaplan.