Bill Text: NY J02174 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Commending John Feal as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-01-14 - ADOPTED [J02174 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02174-Introduced.html

Senate Resolution No. 2174

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

        COMMENDING  John  Feal  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 custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those individuals within the Empire State who  have  made
strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others through
their model citizenry; 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, John Feal, a graduate of Commack High School,  was  a  9/11
Responder  who  lost  half  of his foot in a horrific incident at Ground
Zero; his personal tragedy  motivated  him  to  memorialize  other  9/11
Responders; and

  WHEREAS,  John  Feal has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special recognition; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend John  Feal
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, In addition, the Commack School District will host its 18th
Annual  A Night of Reflection event as a way to unite the community; the
ceremony is in commemoration of  September  11th,  remembering  all  the
victims of 9/11; this year's celebration is dedicated to Commack's Hero,
John Feal, President/Founder of FealGood Foundation; and

  WHEREAS,  He  founded  the  FealGood Foundation Outreach & Education
(FGF OnE) Program, which is now the FealGood Foundation; this  nonprofit
assists  First Responders in New York City and other identified areas of
need who may have been injured,  physically  or  mentally  as  a  direct
result of their rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts at the World Trade
Center  Site  by registering the responders in World Trade Center Health
Program (WTCHP); and

  WHEREAS, John Feal was also one of the original founders of the 9/11
Responders Remembered Park, Inc.; and

  WHEREAS, This marble memorial wall is one of a few that include  the
names  of  first  responders  who died after the terrorist attacks, from
illnesses and injuries related to the aftermath of 9/11;  they  continue
to  add  names  of  people  who  die  every year from their 9/11 related
illnesses to the wall at an annual ceremony; and

  WHEREAS,  The  many  monuments,  memorials  and  other  parks   that
recognize  the heroes who died on September 11th have a clear mission as
well: "While we respect the rectitude of all who proudly ran toward  the
flames  on  September  11th, our unique and one-of-a-kind wall will only
list  the  heroes  we've described herein because we do believe they too
need individual recognition."; and

  WHEREAS, John Feal  holds  an  Honorary  Doctorate  from  Quinnipiac
University;  this  degree  was presented to him for the school of public
health and the nursing school at Quinnipiac; and

  WHEREAS, He also received the New York State Congressional Medal  of
Honor  for  Civilians  and  Beyond  for  his  donation of his kidney and
advocacy in 9/11; and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual  for  the  benefit  of  others  which John Feal has displayed
throughout his life; and

  WHEREAS, It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that  when
individuals  of  such  noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the  citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend John Feal 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 John Feal.
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