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.