Senate Resolution No. 1804

BY: Senator RHOADS

COMMENDING Lieutenant Brendan Mullaney 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 custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who devote themselves to
public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing
for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf 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 Lieutenant Brendan Mullaney 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 evening of Wednesday, December 20, 2023, Lieutenant
Brendan Mullaney, of Seaford, New York, was returning home after his
workday at the State Criminal Court in Manhattan when he witnessed
six-foot flames in his neighbors' driveway across the street; and

WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Lieutenant Brendan Mullaney ran to the
burning residence and pounded on the front door to alert the family of
five who resided there; Kevin Kalyan was bathing two of his young
children upstairs when the blaze ascended the garage and engulfed the
front of the house; and

WHEREAS, The fortunate family was able to escape without harm to
anyone because of the bravery and fearless heroism of Lieutenant Brendan
Mullaney who not only alerted them but also entered the home to obtain
clothes for the two children who had escaped wearing only towels; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 60 firefighters from Massapequa, Seaford, and
Wantagh responded to the alarm; the flames took almost an hour to
extinguish, bringing awareness of the potential tragedy to the residents
of the neighborhood who recognize the courage, compassion, and
selflessness of Lieutenant Brendan Mullaney and those individuals who
don uniforms and perform their civic duties without consideration for
themselves; and

WHEREAS, A truly courageous man, Lieutenant Brendan Mullaney played
a vital role in this extraordinary rescue effort and should be praised

by the people of this great Empire State for his astute actions in
attempting to preserve the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, In his spontaneous and heroic act, Lieutenant Brendan
Mullaney has so aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for
others, personifying, by virtue of his 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 public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the
preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due
full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Lieutenant Brendan Mullaney 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 Lieutenant Brendan Mullaney.