Bill Text: NY J03363 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Good Samaritans David DeWitt and Mustafa Tosun as recipients of a Liberty Medal
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-12-28 - ADOPTED [J03363 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J03363-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 3363 BY: Senator BROOKS COMMENDING Good Samaritans David DeWitt and Mustafa Tosun 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 Good Samaritans David DeWitt and Mustafa Tosun 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, An elderly couple was rescued by Good Samaritan David DeWitt, Good Samaritan Mustafa Tosun, off-duty Lake Success Police Officer Robert Russo, off-duty Suffolk County Police Officer John Tighe, and on-duty Suffolk County Police Officer Debra Gearon after their car crashed into a roadside canal in Lindenhurst, New York, on Monday, October 19, 2020; and WHEREAS, The incident began when two vehicles were involved in a minor car crash at Venetian Promenade and Montauk Highway; and WHEREAS, As the two cars left the scene, one began backing up onto the highway and was struck by a third car that subsequently crashed through a fence and into the canal; it quickly began to sink, trapping a 78-year-old male who, was the driver, and his 76-year-old wife inside; and WHEREAS, Responding without hesitation, the five heroic individuals leaped into action, jumping into the canal to rescue the couple; and WHEREAS, The group was able to pull the man from the car but had to break a window to extricate the woman, who was unconscious; after Officer Robert Russo performed CPR on her, the woman's pulse and breathing were soon restored; and WHEREAS, Good Samaritan David DeWitt and Good Samaritan Mustafa Tosun, in their spontaneous and heroic acts, 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 Good Samaritan David DeWitt and Good Samaritan Mustafa Tosun 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 Good Samaritan David DeWitt, and Good Samaritan Mustafa Tosun.