Senate Resolution No. 2541

BY: Senator STEC

COMMENDING Tanner Varden 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 lives of others; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Tanner Varden 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, A 15-year-old sophomore of Saranac Lake High School and the
Adirondack Education Center, Tanner Varden, and his stepfather, Glenn
Strack, were driving home on Friday, February 16, 2024, when they neared
the scene of an accident, evidenced by tire tracks going off the road
and a downed sign; Ana Candelli, a senior at Paul Smith's College, slid
off the snow-covered roadway during her commute to her job at the Red
Cross in Morrisonville; and

WHEREAS, While Ana slowed her car to negotiate a curve in the road,
the brakes were not working; she tried to use the emergency brake to no
avail; the vehicle flipped after swerving and hitting a pole, becoming
wedged between two trees on an embankment; she was able to call 9-1-1
before losing consciousness, suspended upside down by her seatbelt; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable teen shouted for his stepfather to pull
over after which he slid down the embankment to reach the stranded
victim; at this time, two other people stopped to help; knocking on the
window twice without receiving a response, Tanner Varden knew everyone
had to act quickly to pry open the door; and

WHEREAS, When Ana Candelli regained consciousness, Tanner Varden
asked her the appropriate questions to ascertain whether she had serious
injuries, assisted her while she exited the vehicle, and talked with her
until the ambulance arrived; he helped a member of the Saranac Lake
Volunteer Rescue Squad to apply a neck brace; Ana was later released
from the hospital with only a concussion; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 24 hours after the rescue, Tanner Varden and
his stepfather were driving home when they observed a woman who was
taking photos of the crash site; stopping to ask whether she knew the
young woman involved in the accident, they learned that she is Karen
Candelli who will always be grateful to the selfless and courageous

young man who saved her daughter's life and prevented a parent's worst
nightmare; and

WHEREAS, After graduating high school in 2026, Tanner Varden's goal
is to be an emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency department
doctor, or registered nurse (RN), focusing on trauma response; a
full-time student and part-time employee of McDonald's, he is also an
active participant in the Upward Bound program at SUNY Plattsburgh where
he prepares himself for a future of opportunity through college
preparation activities; and

WHEREAS, Whether he is crunching numbers for an algebra examination,
serving smiles with every order, or meeting with Upward Bound, Tanner
Varden approaches each day with enthusiasm and determination; passion
for helping others and satisfaction in making a positive impact on their
lives provide him with the ultimate goal of spreading happiness and
making the world a better place one interaction at a time; and

WHEREAS, Tanner Varden, 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 need help; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Tanner Varden 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 Tanner Varden.