J 276: Commending Kayla Masotto upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

 Senate Resolution No. 276 BY: Senator MURRAY COMMENDING Kayla Masotto upon the occasion of her 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 Kayla Masotto upon the occasion of her 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 Thursday, December 26, 2024, Kayla Masotto daringly performed a lifesaving rescue on the icy waters of the Poospatuck Creek; and WHEREAS, From the living room of her home in Mastic, New York, Kayla Masotto spotted a man on a jet ski in the partially frozen waters of the creek; shortly after, she noticed smoke and the jet ski sinking, casting the watercraft operator into the frigid water; and WHEREAS, In an instant, Kayla Masotto sprang into action, retrieving her still inflated paddle board from the basement of her home and ran to the water; she was able to walk on top of the ice for most of the way to the individual in need of help, and she then pulled the man, who was already experiencing symptoms of hypothermia, safely onto her paddleboard; and WHEREAS, Other bystanders at a nearby marina assisted in the situation by throwing a rope to Kayla Masotto and the jet ski operator, aiding in their safe return to shore as Mastic Fire and EMS responders arrived on the scene; and WHEREAS, A truly brave and courageous individual, Kayla Masotto played a vital role in this extraordinary rescue effort, and should be praised by the people of this great Empire State for her swift actions in working to preserve the life of another; and WHEREAS, Kayla Masotto, in her spontaneous and heroic act, has so aptly demonstrated her character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of her 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 Kayla Masotto upon the occasion of her 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 Kayla Masotto.