Senate Resolution No. 2564
BY: Senator BORRELLO
HONORING Firefighter Eva Baker-Cotton upon the
occasion of her designation for special recognition
after 60 years of dedicated service to the
Friendship Volunteer 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 honor Firefighter
Eva Baker-Cotton upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition after 60 years of dedicated service to the Friendship
Volunteer Fire Department, celebrated at the Allegany County Volunteer
Firemen's Association's 104th Annual Convention on Wednesday, July 10,
2019; and
WHEREAS, Eva Baker-Cotton joined the Friendship Volunteer Fire
Department in March of 1959, initially as a member of the Ladies
Auxiliary; she and the other ladies would prepare hot coffee, and soup
and sandwiches for the firefighters, and serve it at either the fire
house or at the scene of a call; and
WHEREAS, When the Ladies Auxiliary dissolved in the late 1980s, Eva
Baker-Cotton decided to take the New York State Fire Police class; after
passing the exam, she became an active firefighter and joined the
Friendship Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her four sons, Bruce, Brian,
Dale and Dean, as well as several grandchildren, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her many
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Following in her footsteps, Eva Baker-Cotton's two younger
sons, Dale and Dean, were both active members of the Friendship
Volunteer Fire Department and served as Chiefs; 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;
Eva Baker-Cotton is one such firefighter; throughout 60 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
honor Firefighter Eva Baker-Cotton upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition after 60 years of dedicated service to the
Friendship Volunteer Fire Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Eva Baker-Cotton.
