Senate Resolution No. 807

BY: Senator RHOADS

COMMENDING Timothy Jaccard 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
honor those individuals whose humanitarian efforts, compassion, and
tireless service have made a lasting impact on the lives of others and
who have significantly contributed to the welfare of the most vulnerable
among us; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Timothy Jaccard 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, Founder and President of the AMT Children of Hope
Foundation and a retired paramedic of the Nassau County Police
Department, Long Island, New York, Timothy Jaccard has devoted his life
to saving the lives of infants and ensuring the dignity of those
tragically lost, and has rightfully been recognized as a recipient of
the prestigious Liberty Medal; and

WHEREAS, Timothy Jaccard's journey began with a deeply personal
mission to provide funerals for deceased, abandoned infants-a call to
action borne from his experience responding to harrowing scenes
involving babies discarded in trash cans and alleys throughout the
1990s; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, his commitment to honoring the lives of these
children led him to arrange for dignified burials, often in conjunction
with governmental agencies and charitable organizations, offering a
voice and recognition to those otherwise forgotten; and

WHEREAS, Determined to stop such tragedies before they occurred,
Timothy Jaccard took his mission further by spearheading a national
movement that led to the enactment of "Safe Haven" laws in all 50
states; these laws allow parents in crisis to safely and legally
relinquish newborns at designated locations without fear of legal
consequences, saving countless lives in the process; and

WHEREAS, As the founder of the national Baby Safe Haven
organization, Timothy Jaccard has created a bridge of compassion and
safety between parents in distress and the medical and adoption services
ready to receive newborns with care and love; and

WHEREAS, Under his able leadership, the AMT Children of Hope
Foundation has become a beacon of hope-educating communities, advocating
for vulnerable lives, and offering critical support for mothers and
infants regardless of race, color, age, creed, or national origin; and

WHEREAS, Timothy Jaccard has not only prevented abandonment but has
transformed despair into opportunity, as reflected in the lives of
children like Brandon Laracuente, now a thriving and loving child thanks
to the hope and home provided through the Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Timothy Jaccard has touched lives in the most profound
ways-from his role in the safe birth and legal relinquishment of baby
Molly in Central Park on the eve of September 11, 2001, to the
innumerable families brought together and healed through adoption and
compassionate care; and

WHEREAS, Timothy Jaccard's unwavering dedication, guided by empathy,
moral conviction, and deep respect for life, continues to inspire all
who know him and benefit from his extraordinary efforts; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Timothy Jaccard upon the occasion of his designation as a
recipient of a Liberty Medal, in recognition of his lifesaving
contributions, his service to the abandoned and voiceless, and his
embodiment of the highest ideals of humanity; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Timothy Jaccard.