J 807: 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

 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.