Bill Text: NY J01436 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Port Authority Police Officer Kevin Colomba upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-01-09 - ADOPTED [J01436 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-J01436-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1436 BY: Senator SKOUFIS COMMENDING Port Authority Police Officer Kevin Colomba upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Port Authority Police Officer Kevin Colomba upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, On the morning of Monday, October 30, 2023, Port Authority Police Officer Kevin Colomba, 35, a seven-year veteran of the force and a Captain with the Warwick Fire Department, had just finished a midnight shift with the Port Authority at the George Washington Bridge when he came upon a head-on crash on Route 17A in Tuxedo, New York; and WHEREAS, Despite being off-duty in both roles, Officer Kevin Colomba sprang into action, pulling the driver of one vehicle to safety before turning to two people in the second car as flames began to engulf the vehicle; and WHEREAS, Officer Kevin Colomba pulled the second driver through the driver's window as the fire spread, with an injured woman still trapped in the passenger seat of the burning wreck; and WHEREAS, Without hesitation or concern for his own safety, Officer Kevin Colomba instructed the woman to cover her face, and broke the passenger-side window before pulling her to safety; and WHEREAS, The Tuxedo Fire Department arrived shortly after to douse the flames, and all three victims were brought to a nearby hospital and are expected to survive; and WHEREAS, Justly recognized as a hero, Officer Kevin Colomba richly merits the admiration of this Legislative Body and his community for his consummate, swift action in saving the lives of these three individuals; and WHEREAS, Moreover, Officer Kevin Colomba should be meritoriously commended for remaining calm under pressure and for showing valor and true courage while performing a lifesaving deed; and WHEREAS, Officer Kevin Colomba, in his spontaneous and heroic act, has so aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of his action, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily respond without thought of danger or reward when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Port Authority Police Officer Kevin Colomba upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Officer Kevin Colomba.