J 11: Commending Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello 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

 Senate Resolution No. 11 BY: Senator ORTT COMMENDING Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello 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 Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello 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 July 3, 2024, Newfane Middle School eighth-grade students Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello were at the Town of Newfane Marina where they had been fishing and inspecting the upcoming fireworks display when they noticed an overturned kayak and a woman in the water waving her arms for help; and WHEREAS, These two courageous boys acted swiftly and ran to a nearby business, Hedley Boat Company, where they recruited the help of Liam Hedley's father, the owner of the company, and the three of them quickly loaded a dinghy into the water to rush to aid the woman in need; and WHEREAS, The woman was rescued by these three heroes, being pulled up into the boat and rowed to shore where emergency medical personnel were waiting to begin their assessment, treatment, and transport to a nearby hospital; and WHEREAS, Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello were honored by their school district at a board of education meeting and met with the school Superintendent Jay Lupini who praised these selfless students and bonded over their mutual interests in fishing; and WHEREAS, Truly brave and courageous young men, Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello played a vital role in this extraordinary rescue effort, and should be praised by the people of this great Empire State for their astute actions in working to preserve the life of another; and WHEREAS, Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello, in their spontaneous and heroic acts, have so aptly demonstrated their character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of their action, 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 Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello 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 Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello.