Senate Resolution No. 5907

BY: Senator KAMINSKY

COMMENDING Kevin T. Costigan 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; 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 Kevin T.
Costigan 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, For the past 12 years, retired NYPD officer and volunteer
firefighter Kevin T. Costigan served as the Commander of the Disaster
Mortuary Operational Response Team Region 2 (DMORT 2), having been a
part of the organization for more than 20 years; and

WHEREAS, DMORT is part of the National Disaster Medical System
(NDMS) under the US Health & Human Services Department (DHHS), which
responds to mass fatality incidents to assist the Medical
Examiner/Coroners with recovering, identifying and returning victims of
mass fatality incidents to their families; and

WHEREAS, DMORTs are composed of funeral directors, medical
examiners, pathologists, forensic anthropologists, finger print
specialists, forensic odontologists, dental assistants, administrative
specialists, and security specialists; when deployed, these individuals
leave their full time jobs to supplement federal, state, local, tribal
and territorial resources; and

WHEREAS, Kevin T. Costigan has responded to the following incidents
dedicating thousands of hours of service: TWA No. 800 Suffolk County -
volunteered more than 150 hours (1996); Egypt Air No. 990, Rhode Island
- volunteered over 250 hours (1999); September 11th WTC - volunteered
over 1,000 hours (2001-2002); AA No. 587 Queens - volunteered over 400
hours (2001-2002); Top Officials (TOPOFF) National Exercise emergency
preparation drills, New Jersey - volunteered 60 hours (2005); Hurricane
Katrina, Mississippi - volunteered over 200 hours (2005); Continental
No. 3407, Buffalo, NY - volunteered over 320 hours (2009); and Hurricane
Irene, Rochester, VT - volunteered 72 hours (2011); and


WHEREAS, Kevin T. Costigan is well-known for making the DMORT 2 team
his top priority and ensuring its readiness to respond at a moments
notice to disasters in New York State as well as across the country; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Kevin T. Costigan was awarded the Thomas J.
Shepardson Award by the National Disaster Medical System for his
leadership, vision, service and commitment; he was selected from over
6,000 NDMS personnel and is one of only six people to receive this
award; and

WHEREAS, In 2008 and 2009, Kevin T. Costigan was a member of an
interagency committee led by the New York State Department of Health to
develop a county mass fatality annex and to formulate procedures for the
state and counties to follow in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak;
this work involved trips to Albany as a volunteer to assist in the plan
development; and

WHEREAS, Kevin T. Costigan has earned the respect and admiration of
all of his more than 100 DMORT2 team members as well as the National
Disaster Medical System for his commitment, hard work and
professionalism; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Kevin T. Costigan has served his community as
a 43-year active member, and former Chief, of the Oceanside Volunteer
Fire Department; he retired from the NYPD as a Lieutenant in 2001 and
has been a NY State Licensed Funeral Director since 1979; he is
affiliated with many fire department, police and funeral director
associations; and

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; Kevin T.
Costigan is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of such high standards,
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Kevin T. Costigan 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 Kevin T. Costigan.