LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Master Sergeant Thomas Curran 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 incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Master
Sergeant Thomas Curran 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, Master Sergeant Thomas Curran, a member of the New York Air
National Guard since 1990, and a 26 year veteran of the United States
military, was presented with the prestigious United States Air Force
Commendation Medal during a wing formation in recognition of his life-
saving actions on Saturday, November 14, 2015; and
WHEREAS, On that Saturday, like many other days, Master Sergeant
Thomas Curran went to the AIM Cafe in Newburgh, New York; as he was
approaching the lunch counter he quickly realized something was wrong
and asked what was going on; and
WHEREAS, When a clerk said a man had collapsed, suffering from what
appeared to be cardiac arrest, Master Sergeant Thomas Curran immediately
made his way around the counter and into the dining room to find the
owner of the restaurant, Al Blanco, administering CPR at the direction
of 911 operators over the telephone; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Thomas Curran, who is certified in CPR as a
member of the United States Air National Guard, took over; and
WHEREAS, Emergency medical personnel arrived a short time later and
Master Sergeant Thomas Curran helped the medics administer an Automated
External Defibrillator (AED); concerned about the man's condition,
Master Sergeant Thomas Curran then drove to St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital
in Newburgh, New York, to check on his condition; and
WHEREAS, Due to Master Sergeant Thomas Curran's quick actions, the man
would not have survived long enough to make it to the emergency room
where he was treated and admitted to the intensive care unit for further
care; and
WHEREAS, Through his heroic actions, Master Sergeant Thomas Curran
demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying the collective concern of public servants and ordinary
citizens across the community of the State of New York who respond when
others are in need of help; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that 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
honor Master Sergeant Thomas Curran 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 tran-
smitted to Master Sergeant Thomas Curran.