LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Sergeant Thomas Mulhern upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition for his heroic action in
assisting Tonya Wilkinson in an emergency situation on February 9, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 in an effort to
prevent serious injury or the loss of 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 commend
Sergeant Thomas Mulhern upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition for his heroic action in assisting Tonya Wilkinson in an
emergency situation on February 9, 2009; this auspicious occasion will
be celebrated on Thursday, June 10, 2010, at a ceremony to take place at
the employee memorial located in the front of the New York State Depart-
ment of Correctional Services Training Academy at 1134 New Scotland Road
in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, On February 9, 2009, Cayuga Correctional Facility Sergeant
Thomas Mulhern came upon a serious motor vehicle accident in which nine
months pregnant Tonya Wilkinson was trapped upside down inside her over-
turned minivan in the middle of Tollgate Hill Road in the Cayuga County
Town of Locke, New York; and
WHEREAS, In the darkness of the early morning, as Sergeant Thomas
Mulhern exited his own vehicle he noticed a tractor trailer rapidly
approaching from the opposite direction; he nevertheless courageously
proceeded to immediately extricate the pregnant Tonya Wilkinson from her
minivan; and
WHEREAS, After Tonya Wilkinson was safely transported by Sergeant
Thomas Mulhern back to his vehicle, her minivan was struck by a pickup
truck that was unable to avoid the previous accident; and
WHEREAS, The heroic and skillful emergency actions of Cayuga Correc-
tional Facility Sergeant Thomas Mulhern prevented a much more serious
accident which could have resulted in serious injury or death to Tonya
Wilkinson; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Sergeant Thomas Mulhern's actions enabled Tonya
Wilkinson to give birth to a healthy baby boy the following day; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals within the State of New York who engage in
emergency assistance efforts with diligence and precision, resulting in
heroic actions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Sergeant Thomas Mulhern upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition for his heroic action in assisting Tonya Wilkinson
in an emergency situation on February 9, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sergeant Thomas Mulhern.