Honor Local Heroic Rescuers

Senate Resolution No. 3079 BY: Senator RITCHIE COMMENDING Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Elizabeth Conners upon the occasion of their designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Elizabeth 'Libby' Conners upon the occasion of their designation as recipient of the 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 the hot afternoon of July 9, 2017, a family outing turned tragic in a matter of moments when a group of children and adults began to struggle in the water near Lake Ontario; and WHEREAS, Believing they were safely swimming in the channel, the group of friends and family members were unexpectedly pulled under by the ominous current; one adult and one child made it safely to shore at the same time two other adults went to the aide of twin girls; and WHEREAS, Just when the distressed group could no longer hold on, they saw someone swimming towards them; and WHEREAS, Amanda Lloyd, a 2015 graduate from the South Jefferson Central School District and her friends, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Libby Conners, 2016 graduates from the same school district, were taking a break from a kayaking adventure in South Sandy Creek; and WHEREAS, The four young adults were kayaking in South Sandy Creek, not in the mouth of Lake Ontario; they had stopped to rest on the opposite side of the sand dune, and as Libby was walking around, she noticed the five people far out in the water; and WHEREAS, She ran back to her friends and thinking as quickly as possible, the teenagers sprang into action; Nathan and Delaney, both of whom are certified lifeguards, and Amanda jumped in the water to help while Libby called 911 and aided the Coast Guard and local police find the potential drowning victims; and WHEREAS, In the midst of all the commotion, another tragic yet heroic event was unfolding; 64 year-old grandmother, Yvonne E. Kraus, ignored the request from her daughter to stay on shore and jumped in the water to aid in the rescue of her family members; unfortunately, she died a hero while responding without hesitation or due concern for her own welfare and safety; and WHEREAS, Through their spontaneous and heroic actions, Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Libby Conners 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 the State of New York, who are readily willing to respond when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Elizabeth Conners upon the occasion of their 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 Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Elizabeth Conners.