Commending Richard Duncan 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. 2363

BY: Senator WEIK

        COMMENDING Richard Duncan 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
commend  the  caring  concern  and  heroic  acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in  emergency  situations,  nobly  risking
their own lives in an effort 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 Richard Duncan 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, On the afternoon of Sunday,  May  17th,  2026,  10-year-old
Richard  Duncan was home enjoying a beautiful spring day playing outside
when he smelled what he thought to be smoke coming from the backyard  of
his neighbors' home; and

  WHEREAS,  Richard  Duncan looked over his fence and quickly realized
that his neighbor's grass was on fire and rapidly spreading to the  side
of  the  house;  thinking  back to the fire prevention classes taught by
members of the West Babylon Fire Department at  his  school  -  John  F.
Kennedy Elementary School - Richard immediately ran to the nearest phone
and called the fire department; and

  WHEREAS,  The  West Babylon Fire Department found not only the house
on fire, but that a mother and young  daughter  were  still  inside  and
unaware that the house was on fire; and

  WHEREAS, For his heroic actions, the Chiefs of the West Babylon Fire
Department  will  be  presenting Richard Duncan with an award in a small
ceremony at the Fire Headquarters in West Babylon, on Saturday, June 27,
2026; and

  WHEREAS, In his  spontaneous  and  heroic  actions,  Richard  Duncan
demonstrated  his  character  and  compassion for the welfare of others,
exemplifying  the  best  qualities  inherent  in  our   citizens;   now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Richard Duncan 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 Richard Duncan.