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K00571 Summary:

BILL NOK00571
 
SAME ASNo Same As
 
SPONSORGunther
 
COSPNSR
 
MLTSPNSR
 
 
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K00571 Text:

 
Assembly Resolution No. 571
 
BY: M. of A. Gunther
 
        CELEBRATING  the  life  and  legacy  of William R.
        Price, the first African American Fire Chief in  the
        State of New York
 
  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of  New  York,  is  moved  this  day to pay tribute to an eminent man of
indomitable faith and dedication  whose  public  service  and  countless
accomplishments  will  forever  stand  as a paradigm and inspiration for
others; and
 
  WHEREAS, Today, the seventeenth of February 2022, we are pausing  to
commemorate the life and accomplishments of William R. Price; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  unity  of  our  State  and  Nation  is built upon the
compassion of individuals such as William "Bill" R. Price who upheld the
values  of  community  life  and  who,  through  their  great   actions,
epitomized the best of humanity; and
 
  WHEREAS,  William  R.  Price distinguished himself in his profession
and by his  sincere  dedication  and  substantial  contribution  to  the
welfare of his community; and
 
  WHEREAS, A true trailblazer, William R. Price was elected Fire Chief
of the Silver Lake Fire Department of Wallkill, New York in 1973, during
which  time  he  broke  racial  barriers  by  becoming the first African
American Fire Chief in New York State  and  the  fourth  in  the  United
States; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Under  the  luminous direction of William R. Price, racial
disparities within the Silver Lake Fire Department seemed to  disappear;
he  carried himself with quiet confidence and determined veracity, never
allowing race to stop him from working towards the goals of his  beloved
department; and
 
  WHEREAS,  William  R.  Price  began  his illustrious career with the
Silver Lake Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter, quickly climbing
the ranks to become Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant and Chief; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  as  grievance   coordinator   at   Otisville
Correctional  Facility,  William R. Price was prominent in orchestrating
the New York  State  Burn  Center  in  Albany,  New  York,  and  he  was
specifically  sought  out to serve on the Orange County Housing Advisory
Committee to assist mid and lower income families secure better housing;
and
 
  WHEREAS, In addition to his steadfast and unwavering  dedication  to
the  Silver  Lake  Fire  Department, William R. Price proudly served his
country in World War II; and
 
  WHEREAS, William  R.  Price  exemplified  leadership  and  integrity
through  his  actions; his demeanor was gentle, his spirit was kind, and
his care for others was apparent in the time and dedication he  gave  to
bettering his community and those around him; and
 
 
  WHEREAS,  In  recognition  of this extraordinary man, the William R.
Price Scholarship Foundation was founded  in  2022  to  assist  students
within  the  Town  of  Wallkill School District, who possess exceptional
character and a desire to advance through higher education; and
 
  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual  for  the  benefit of others which William R. Price displayed
throughout his life; and
 
  WHEREAS, William R. Price's infinite  selflessness  and  benevolence
will shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight
and  strength  will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to
the countless lives he touched; and
 
  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  William  R.  Price  leaves  behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will
be  deeply  missed  and  truly  merits  the  grateful  tribute  of  this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life  and  legacy  of  William  R.  Price,  first  African
American Fire Chief in the State of New York; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of William R. Price.
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