A HOUSE RESOLUTION expressing gratitude to the men and women who protect The safety of the public and our natural resources; honoring those who have sustained injuries; and honoring the memory of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Whereas, on March 12, 2014, United States Forest Service Officer Jason Crisp was killed in the line of duty in Burke County, along with his service dog, Maros; and
Whereas, thousands of men and women like Officer Crisp proudly perform their duties as marine patrol officers, wildlife enforcement officers, forest rangers, and park rangers throughout the United States and the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Section 5 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution declares it to be the policy of this State to conserve and protect its lands and waters for the benefit of all its citizenry; and
Whereas, Section 5 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution also declares it to be the proper function of the State to preserve as a part of the common heritage of this State its forests, wetlands, estuaries, beaches, historical sites, open lands, and places of beauty; and
Whereas, G.S. 113‑44.8 provides that the State of North Carolina offers unique archaeological, geological, biological, scenic, and recreational resources, and finds that these resources are part of the heritage of the people of this State and should be preserved and managed by the people for their use and for the use of their visitors and descendants; and
Whereas, the officers of the North Carolina Marine Patrol, Wildlife Enforcement Officers of the Wildlife Resources Commission, and Rangers of the State Parks System and the State's Forest Service are dedicated public servants and work tirelessly to uphold these provisions of the State's Constitution and General Statutes, fulfill their duties to preserve our State's spectacular natural resources, and assure the safety of the State's citizenry in enjoying these resources; and
Whereas, the origins of the North Carolina Marine Patrol may be traced to as early as 1822, serving to protect the State's extensive marine and estuarine resources; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Marine Patrol has responsibility for ensuring sustainable marine and estuarine fisheries for the benefit of the people of North Carolina and has jurisdiction over all coastal waters, which includes monitoring 2.5 million acres of water and 4,000 miles of coastline; and
Whereas, many members of the Marine Patrol have been injured in the line of duty, and one member of the Marine Patrol has died in the line of duty; and
Whereas, the origins of the Wildlife Resource Commission may be traced to 1947, when the General Assembly established the agency to conserve and sustain the State's wildlife and inland fish resources; and
Whereas, the Wildlife Enforcement Officers of the Wildlife Resources Commission have responsibility for enforcement of the inland fishing, hunting, trapping, and boating laws throughout the State; and
Whereas, many Wildlife Enforcement Officers have been injured in the line of duty, and seven Wildlife Enforcement Officers have lost their lives in the line of duty; and
Whereas, the origins of the State Parks System may be traced to as early as 1891, when the North Carolina Geological Survey was established to protect the State's natural diversity and to encourage opportunities that promote stewardship of the State's natural heritage; and
Whereas, the Rangers of the State Parks System have responsibility for management of more than 217,000 acres included within the State Parks System and protection of the many millions of visitors to sites within the System each year; and
Whereas, many Rangers of the State Parks System have been injured in the line of duty; and
Whereas, the origins of the State's Forest Service may be traced to as early as 1891, when the North Carolina Geological Survey was established to protect the State's natural diversity and to encourage opportunities that promote stewardship of the State's natural heritage and the first State employee was appointed to carry out forestry work; and
Whereas, the Rangers of the State Forest Service have responsibility for management of the rich and diverse forest resources within North Carolina, which enrich the lives of all North Carolinians and provide us with clean water and air, wildlife, recreation, and forest products; and
Whereas, many Rangers of the State Forest Service have been injured in the line of duty, and 26 Rangers of the State Forest Service have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1950; and
Whereas, it is fitting to honor and commend the exemplary group of men and women who have served and continue to serve our State and nation and routinely endure dangerous and difficult conditions in the performance of their duties and those that have been injured and lost in the line of duty through service to their State and nation; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to the North Carolina Marine Patrol officers, Wildlife Enforcement Officers, and Rangers of the North Carolina Forest Service and North Carolina State Parks System for their extraordinary service to the State.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives wishes to honor those who have sustained injury while performing their duties and wishes to honor the memory of all members of the North Carolina Marine Patrol, Wildlife Enforcement Officers, and Rangers of the North Carolina Forest Service and North Carolina State Parks System who lost their lives while performing their duties.
SECTION 3.  The House of Representatives extends its deepest sympathy to the families of the individuals referenced above who sacrificed their lives to help preserve and protect North Carolina's incomparable natural resources, from the mountains to the coast, and ensure that they may be safely enjoyed by the State's citizenry each year. The people of the State of North Carolina owe a debt to these dedicated public servants and solemnly pledge that they shall never be forgotten.
SECTION 4.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of United States Forest Service Officer Jason Crisp and extends its deepest sympathy to his family.
SECTION 5.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the North Carolina Marine Patrol, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, and to the North Carolina Forest Service.
SECTION 6.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.