LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Petty Officer Tye J. Conklin upon the
occasion of receiving the United States Coast Guard Air Medal for his
heroic actions on May 12, 2008

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 while in the
course of performing their job duties, 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 honor
Petty Officer Tye J. Conklin upon the occasion of receiving the United
States Coast Guard Air Medal for his heroic actions on May 12, 2008; and
WHEREAS, One of the bravest members of the United States Coast Guard,
Petty Officer Tye J. Conklin saved the lives of two men who were trapped
in separate boating incidents 14 miles off the Delaware Coast last
summer; and
WHEREAS, Currently assigned to the elite Helicopter Rescue Division as
an Aviation Survival Technician Second Class, Petty Officer Tye J. Conk-
lin was aboard helicopter CG6562 when it launched into low visibility
conditions in the Atlantic in response to a report that the research
vessel Russell W. Peterson was taking on water and at risk of capsizing
with two people on board; and
WHEREAS, After helicopter CG6562 transited through near-hurricane
strength winds, severe downdrafts and intense turbulence, Petty Officer
Tye J. Conklin experienced two attempts to deploy onto the heaving deck
of the vessel before succeeding; and
WHEREAS, Petty Officer Tye J. Conklin then valiantly risked his life
by going below deck to find and extricate a missing mariner who had
sustained massive trauma and was rendered unconscious; and
WHEREAS, Under severe time pressure, Petty Officer Tye J. Conklin
carried the unresponsive man up an unstable ladder and orchestrated a
successful basket hoist of the injured seaman, followed by a tandem
hoist to extricate the skipper of the boat; and
WHEREAS, After refueling and beginning a homeward flight, helicopter
CG6562 was diverted to a disabled 37-foot sailboat that was being dashed
by breaking surf near a Maryland jetty; and
WHEREAS, Deployed some 50 yards from the vessel, Petty Officer Tye J.
Conklin displayed remarkable physical ability, stamina and fierce deter-
mination while swimming to the boat; and
WHEREAS, Still attached to the hoist cable, Petty Officer Tye J. Conk-
lin beckoned to the lone sailor to leap clear and then expertly rigged
the pickup in the water while being pounded by surf; and
WHEREAS, The son of Mary and Robert Conklin, Petty Officer Tye J.
Conklin graduated from Brewster High School in 1996 and has been a
member of the Coast Guard for the past 13 years; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Petty Officer Tye J. Conklin upon the occasion of receiving the
United States Coast Guard Air Medal for his heroic actions on May 12,
2008, and to extend to him its best wishes for a future of purposeful
success and well-being, fully confident of his response to a promising
future and appreciative of the model he represents for the citizens of
this great Empire State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Petty Officer Tye J. Conklin.