Bill Text: NY J01632 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 1632 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending Ava Horton, Meka Bonsie-Machin and Emily St. John upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-30 - ADOPTED [J01632 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01632-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 1632

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        COMMENDING  Ava  Horton,  Meka  Boncie-Machin  and
        Emily  St.  John  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

  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  Ava  Horton,  Meka  Boncie-Machin  and  Emily St. John 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,  On April 23, 2019, students Ava Horton, Meka Boncie-Machin
and Emily St. John were at Collins Lake in Scotia, New York,  when  they
witnessed a visibly disoriented man entering the water; the man's mother
ran in after him and began calling for help as she could not swim; and

  WHEREAS,  Responding  without  hesitation  or  regard  for their own
safety, Ava Horton  immediately  dialed  911  while  Meka  Boncie-Machin
jumped into the water to help; and

  WHEREAS,   After   realizing   the   victim  was  unconscious,  Meka
Boncie-Machin attempted to drag both the man and his mother  toward  the
shore;  Emily St.   John then jumped in the water to help her struggling
friend, during which time the police arrived and were able  to  complete
the rescue; and

  WHEREAS, Ava Horton, Meka Boncie-Machin and Emily St. John, in their
spontaneous  and  heroic act, 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 are in need of help; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ava Horton, Meka Boncie-Machin  and  Emily  St.  John  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 Ava Horton, Meka Boncie-Machin and Emily St. John.