Senate Resolution No. 5011

BY: Senator GOLDEN

COMMENDING Captain Samuel L. Orlan 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
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peace-time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Samuel L.
Orlan 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, Samuel L. Orlan was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised
primarily on Long Island in Commack, New York; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, Samuel L. Orlan graduated from Norwich University,
the Military College of Vermont; as a ROTC Distinguished Military
Graduate, he commissioned as a United States Army Second Lieutenant in
the Armor Branch; and

WHEREAS, Samuel L. Orlan was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th
Cavalry Regiment of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
(Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; he was deployed with 1-75 CAV
in 2010 as a Scout Platoon Leader to the Zhari District of Kandahar,
Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, After being wounded in action, Samuel L. Orlan transitioned
to the role of Assistant Operations Officer where he served as his
unit's Liaison Officer to higher headquarters; following the deployment,
Samuel continued to serve as the primary Assistant Operations Officer
until he assumed duties as the Squadron Intelligence Officer; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, Officer Samuel L. Orlan was medically retired as a
Captain; for his meritorious service, he was awarded the Bronze Star
Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal,
and the Combat Action Badge; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Samuel L.
Orlan received his Master of Public Administration degree from the
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University
in 2016; he also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Security

Studies from the University's Institute for National Security and
Counterterrorism; and

WHEREAS, Samuel L. Orlan was then hired by The Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey into the inaugural class of Operations Fellows, and
assigned to the Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department; after
rotational assignments at the Holland Tunnel and the George Washington
Bridge and Bus Station, he was named Supervisor of Operations for the
Port Authority Bus Terminal; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his fellow man, woman and child, Samuel L.
Orlan was involved in event planning and coordination for the 2017 Month
of Service as part of Remembrance Through Renewal, the Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey's largest annual community service initiative;
and

WHEREAS, Samuel L. Orlan is also a founding member and Vice
President of the Port Authority Veterans Association (PAVA), the newest
agency Employee Resource Group (ERG); PAVA diligently works to foster an
active community among Port Authority professionals, military veterans
and supportive colleagues alike, and lead agency efforts to provide
support to all veteran, retired, active duty, and reserve members of the
United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Captain Samuel L. Orlan demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore, the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Captain Samuel L. Orlan 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 Captain Samuel L. Orlan.