Honor Hero Jeanine Halpern

Senate Resolution No. 2217 BY: Senator GAUGHRAN COMMENDING Jeanine Halpern 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 Jeanine Halpern 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, While spending a Saturday evening at a home on Woodbine Avenue in Northport, New York, Jeanine Halpern heard the shouts of her neighbor whose 11 year-old, nearly blind Havanese dog walked off a deck and into the water at high tide in Northport Harbor; the dog's owner jumped into the water after him and began having difficulty staying afloat; and WHEREAS, Responding without hesitation, Jeanine Halpern jumped into the water and gave her struggling friend an inner tube before climbing out of the water, and running up the street in the dogs direction to another neighbor's deck several houses away; and WHEREAS, As the dog approached the deck, Jeanine Halpern reached out and grabbed him from the water, saving his life; and WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, the Northport Rescue Squad arrived, providing the dog's owner with medical care and transporting her to Huntington Hospital; and WHEREAS, Had it not been for Jeanine Halpern's courage and determination, this perilous situation could have been much worse; she took action without regard for her own safety, which so aptly demonstrates her character and compassion for the safety and welfare of others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Jeanine Halpern 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 Jeanine Halpern.