Senate Resolution No. 217

BY: Senator FLANAGAN

HONORING Caleigh and James Anson 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 incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
caring concern and heroic acts of exemplary citizens who take prompt and
appropriate action in emergency situations, and in doing so, help others
to avert life-threatening danger; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Caleigh and
James Anson 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 Friday, November 11, 2016, a fire broke out in
Centereach, New York, at the residence of a couple and their two young
sons; the boys' grandfather, who was visiting, and two family dogs were
also at home at the time of the blaze; and

WHEREAS, Attempting to save his two sons and their mother through
the second floor window, the father climbed out onto the sloped roof of
the garage; and

WHEREAS, At the house across the street, 12 year-old Caleigh Anson
saw the blaze and immediately alerted her father, James Anson, an
off-duty Seventh Precinct Officer; while she called 911, James grabbed
his ladder, raced across the street and quickly propped it against the
garage of the burning house; and

WHEREAS, By the time the Suffolk County police arrived on the scene,
flames were whipping high and in various directions by strong winds;
furthermore, debris and embers blew along the street, setting trees on
fire; and

WHEREAS, The father, his face black with soot, struggled against the
intense heat up on the roof; without hesitation or regard for his
safety, James Anson climbed to the top of the ladder and, with the help
of the police officers who were assisting from below, used a
hand-to-hand operation to successfully bring all four family members to
safety; and

WHEREAS, The family of four was taken to Stony Brook University
Hospital for smoke inhalation and other non-life-threatening injuries;

the grandfather and one dog also made it out safely but unfortunately,
the other dog succumbed to the fire; and

WHEREAS, Praised for their brave actions, Caleigh and James Anson
demonstrated their true character and genuine compassion for the welfare
of others, personifying, by virtue of their actions, the collective
concern of ordinary citizens across the community of the State of New
York who voluntarily respond when others are in need; and

WHEREAS, Justly recognized as heros, Caleigh and James Anson richly
merit the admiration of this Legislative Body and their community for
their consummate courage and heroic actions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Caleigh and James Anson 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 Caleigh and James Anson.