Honor John Feal with Medal

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.