Honoring William Sawyer upon the occasion of his retirement after 43 years of distinguished service to Fort Stanwix

Senate Resolution No. 2171

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        HONORING  William  Sawyer upon the occasion of his
        retirement after 43 years of  distinguished  service
        to Fort Stanwix

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve  to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
William Sawyer upon the occasion of his retirement  after  43  years  of
distinguished service to Fort Stanwix; and

  WHEREAS,  For  the  past 43 years, William Sawyer rendered faithful,
conscientious, and valuable service to Fort Stanwix; and

  WHEREAS, Known as "the fort that never surrendered,"  Fort  Stanwix,
under  the  command of Colonel Peter Gansevoort, successfully repelled a
prolonged siege, in August 1777, by British, German, Loyalist, Canadian,
and American Indian troops and warriors  commanded  by  British  General
Barry St. Leger; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  June  10,  1962,  William  "Bill"  Sawyer grew up in
Boonville, New York and attended Adirondack Central School where he  was
heavily  involved  in  the  music curriculum and music activities in the
community; and

  WHEREAS, William  Sawyer  graduated  in  1980,  then  he  earned  an
Associate's Degree in Music from Onondaga Community College in Syracuse,
New  York, and a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Mansfield University in
Mansfield, Pennsylvania; and

  WHEREAS, William Sawyer began his career at Fort Stanwix in 1982, as
a volunteer musician and in 1983, he became  a  seasonal  staff  member;
this  led to a permanent position as a National Park Ranger in the early
2000's; and

  WHEREAS, Over the years, William  Sawyer  has  been  the  lead  park
military field musician, historian, living history coordinator, historic
weapons supervisor, and volunteer program coordinator; and

  WHEREAS,  In  his  capacity  as National Park Ranger, William Sawyer
served with loyalty, honor and distinction; and

  WHEREAS, In his official acts, William Sawyer was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and

  WHEREAS, During his tenure with Fort Stanwix, William Sawyer  earned
the  admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; now, therefore,
be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  William Sawyer upon the occasion of his retirement after 43 years
of distinguished service to Fort Stanwix; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to William Sawyer.