Honor Josef Gluck For Bravery

Senate Resolution No. 2278 BY: Senator CARLUCCI COMMENDING Josef Gluck 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 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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the caring concern and heroic acts of exemplary citizens who take prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, and in doing so, help others to avert life-threatening danger; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Josef Gluck 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, 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 a peaceful and quiet Saturday night in December of 2019, many people of all ages were gathered at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg in Monsey, New York, to celebrate the seventh day of Hanukkah when a man wearing a scarf over his face suddenly burst into the home and began to randomly slash revelers with a big machete knife; and WHEREAS, Fearing for his life, Josef Gluck's first instinct was to escape, however, he knew he needed to help his friends so he ran to the front door to assist in any way he could; after realizing the attacker's rampage was not over, he yelled at the man to divert his attention, grabbed a coffee table and hit the knife-wielding assailant in the face; and WHEREAS, As the attacker turned towards Josef, he screamed "He's coming!" and warned everyone else to flee; after seriously wounding five people, the man left and tried to enter a synagogue next to the Rabbi's house; finding it locked, the assailant then got in his car and sped off; and WHEREAS, Fortunately, Josef Gluck had also run outside and had the foresight to record the assaulter's license plate, and call 911; through his astute actions, the police tracked down the suspect about an hour after the attack when a license plate reader captured his car's tag as it was crossing a bridge into New York City; and WHEREAS, Josef Gluck was truly courageous that terrible night, but humbly believes he was simply in the right place at the right time; and WHEREAS, Praised for his swift actions, Josef Gluck demonstrated his true character and genuine compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of his actions, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community of the State of New York who voluntarily respond when others are in need; and WHEREAS, Justly recognized as a hero, Josef Gluck richly merits the admiration of this Legislative Body and his community for his consummate courage and heroic actions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Josef Gluck 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 Josef Gluck.