J 1148: Commending Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich 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

 Senate Resolution No. 1148 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 to preserve the 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 Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich 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, Aidan Kane, Donato Jellenich, and Tyler Sodja are juniors at Whitesboro High School; in addition to school, Aidan Kane enjoys cleaning and detailing automobiles, Donato Jellenich participates on the indoor and outdoor track teams, and Tyler Sodja plays on the varsity soccer team; and WHEREAS, On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich had just left their high school prom and were driving to a friend's home when they noticed a fire nearby; and WHEREAS, Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich approached the fire and witnessed a garage engulfed in flames next to a home; despite having just left their high school prom, the three teenagers immediately took action to assist at the scene; and WHEREAS, Aidan Kane went to the front door of the home next to the burning garage and began pounding on the door, hoping to alert any residents of the increasingly dangerous situation; and WHEREAS, Tyler Sodja went towards the burning garage to investigate the fire and ensure no one was inside the burning structure; and WHEREAS, Donato Jellenich immediately contacted local emergency services to prevent further spread of the fire; and WHEREAS, With their teamwork and brave immediate reactions, Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich were able to evacuate two children and their father from the at-risk home and alert emergency services of the dangerous situation; and WHEREAS, The heroic and selfless actions of Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich protected the family from harm and assisted in preventing the further spread and destruction of the fire; without their noble actions, the scene on May 17, 2025, could have been tragic; and WHEREAS, Once they graduate, Aidan Kane hopes to become a New York State Trooper and Tyler Sodja is interested in attending law school; and WHEREAS, Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich, in their spontaneous and heroic acts, have so aptly demonstrated their character and compassion for the welfare of 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 others need help; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich 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 Aidan Kane, Tyler Sodja, and Donato Jellenich.