Senate Resolution No. 10 BY: Senator ORTT COMMENDING Leigha Walker 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 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 Leigha Walker 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, Leigha Walker is a three-sport athlete and a team captain; she also rides horses; she has the ability to immediately decide whether to pass the ball or guide a sprinting horse to the left or right of an obstacle; she is one of only 15 students to take the CPR training course the previous year; and WHEREAS, A resident of Holley, New York, and an honors student at Holley High School, Leigha Walker saved the life of a man whose vehicle crashed into the Brockport Subway restaurant where the 18-year-old young woman is employed; and WHEREAS, On the morning of Sunday, June 9, 2024, Leigha Walker was working her shift when a man crashed his truck into a support beam for the overhang outside the restaurant; and WHEREAS, Leigha Walker immediately called 9-1-1 and ran outside to check on the driver, an older man who was unconscious inside the locked truck; accompanied by two customers, another driver, and a co-worker, this courageous and resourceful hero, who is used to staying calm and being decisive in stressful situations, acted quickly and calmly to help save the man's life while awaiting the ambulance; and WHEREAS, Leigha Walker secured a wooden rod that was used to prop open the back door of the restaurant; this was instrumental in breaking the window on the passenger side of the truck; one of the rescuers reached into the vehicle and unlocked the door, cutting his arm; and WHEREAS, A Subway employee and Leigha Walker pulled the driver out and carefully set him on the ground; the compassionate teen rolled up a blanket to provide a makeshift pillow for the driver's head; the gentleman gasped for air; and WHEREAS, Checking the man's vital signs, Leigha Walker observed a slight pulse; firefighters from the Brockport Fire District soon arrived; while preparing an automated external defibrillator (AED), it was suggested that someone commence CPR; and WHEREAS, Certified in CPR training, Leigha Walker started chest compressions until the AED was administered; Monroe Ambulance arrived and transported the man to the hospital; and WHEREAS, From the 9-1-1 call to the transport to the hospital, the response was only 12 minutes in duration; the conscientious Subway employee still worked the remaining four hours of her shift; and WHEREAS, Due to Leigha Walker's noble and courageous actions, a precious life was saved, and a seemingly dire situation had positive results; this humble hero received messages from the driver's brother-in-law and granddaughter, thanking her for making a difference; and WHEREAS, The Chief of the Brockport Fire District credits Leigha Walker with making a tremendous difference for the driver, administering lifesaving CPR in a timely manner; for her quick response and "outstanding acts," she will be recognized by the District; and WHEREAS, The Assistant Principal of Holley High School expressed the pride in Leigha Walker within the school district; the ambitious student works shifts at Subway restaurant while attaining top grades in her classes; she plans to attend Morrisville State College to play soccer and study equine management; and WHEREAS, Leigha Walker, in her spontaneous and heroic act, has so aptly demonstrated her character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of her 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 need help; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Leigha Walker 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 Leigha Walker.