Honor Seaway Workers' Heroism

Senate Resolution No. 628 BY: Senator RITCHIE COMMENDING five employees of the St. Lawrence Seaway 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 to respond when others are in need of help; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend five employees of the St. Lawrence Seaway 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, A 57 year-old Quebec man was working on the Spruceglen, a Canadian bulk carrier, attempting to tie the ship off when he fell into the St. Lawrence River at Eisenhower Locks; and WHEREAS, The five heroic employees of the St. Lawrence Seaway who were working at the time of the accident include: Nicholas Hallada from Brasher, New York, and Jeremy Buffham, Keith Benham, Matthew Cole, and Kevin Smith, all of whom reside in Massena, New York; and WHEREAS, Responding without hesitation and disregarding their own personal safety, Nicholas Hallada and Jeremy Buffham jumped into the river in a valiant and selfless attempt to save the drowning victim; unfortunately, the man succumbed to the frigid water; and WHEREAS, Nicholas Hallada and Jeremy Buffham were later taken to Massena Memorial Hospital to be treated for hypothermia; the five brave and courageous men all played a vital role in the rescue efforts, and should be praised by the people of this great Empire State for their astute actions in attempting to preserve the life of another; and WHEREAS, Nicholas Hallada, Jeremy Buffham, Keith Benham, Matthew Cole, and Kevin Smith, in their spontaneous and heroic act, have so aptly demonstrated their character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of their action, 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 five employees of the St. Lawrence Seaway 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 Nicholas Hallada, Jeremy Buffham, Keith Benham, Matthew Cole, and Kevin Smith.