Honor Youths for Bravery

Senate Resolution No. 1263 BY: Senator SKOUFIS COMMENDING John Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Kanaye Tesoro, and Alexander MacLeod upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those distinguished citizens who demonstrate great courage and diligence in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend John Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Kanaye Tesoro, and Alexander MacLeod upon the occasion of their designation as recipients 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 evening of Monday, May 26, 2025, John Flynn and Patrick Flynn, of Highland Falls, and Kanaye Tesoro and Alexander MacLeod, of Fort Montgomery, were enjoying Memorial Day, playing a game of whiffle ball at Brooks Park in Fort Montgomery, when they heard yelling; and WHEREAS, At first, the four friends assumed the yelling came from children who were playing; however, a child ran toward them, informing them that a boat was sinking; without hesitation, the brave and selfless youths ran toward the sinking boat which was approximately 125 yards from the shore; and WHEREAS, One adult and seven children were aboard the small fishing boat; John Flynn and Patrick Flynn are currently certified lifeguards, and Alexander MacLeod was previously certified; Kanaye Tesoro, while not a lifeguard, was willing to do whatever was necessary to help rescue the victims; and WHEREAS, John Flynn called 9-1-1, and a quick assessment, ensuring that no one was under water, was made; the boat was partially tipped, taking on water; the decision to swim and pull the boat back to shore, instead of swimming with the victims individually, seemed to be the most prudent; and WHEREAS, These courageous young people swam toward the safety of the shore, able to touch the ground approximately 20 yards from the shore; Alexander MacLeod lifted one young girl out of the boat, carrying the distraught child to safety first; and WHEREAS, At this time, the first responders arrived; three police officers from the Town of Highlands were on the scene within five minutes, witnessing the rescue; the Fort Montgomery Fire Department and the Town of Highlands Volunteer Ambulance Corps arrived as well; the victims' family members and friends were anxiously awaiting the safe return of their loved ones; and WHEREAS, Later that week, John Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Kanaye Tesoro, and Alexander MacLeod were honored by the Fort Montgomery Fire Department and the Town of Highlands Police Department; the following week, they were honored by the Town Board; residents of the community have also praised these brave and selfless young people; and WHEREAS, In their spontaneous and heroic act, John Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Kanaye Tesoro, and Alexander MacLeod have so aptly demonstrated their character and compassion for others, personifying, by virtue of their actions, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily respond without thought of danger or reward when fellow constituents are in need of aid; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated people who unselfishly assist their neighbors should be honored by all citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend John Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Kanaye Tesoro, and Alexander MacLeod upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to John Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Kanaye Tesoro, and Alexander MacLeod.