Senate Resolution No. 192 BY: Senator RYAN C COMMENDING Tom Drumm 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 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 Tom Drumm 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 April 23, 2024, 31-year-old Tom Drumm was driving down Route 31 in Clay, New York, when an SUV went off the road and landed in a retention pond; and WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Tom Drumm hopped out of his vehicle, ran straight toward the accident, and began swimming to the middle of the pond; and WHEREAS, Tom Drumm and another gentleman found a woman in the car with the window down; the two brave men pried the car door open, pulling hard against the weight of the water; when the door finally opened, the car began to fill with water and sink; and WHEREAS, While the second gentleman brought the woman to shore, Tom Drumm stayed in the water, examining the car to ensure no other passengers or pets were trapped before exiting the freezing cold pond; and WHEREAS, Tom Drumm met this extraordinary emergency with equally extraordinary courage; and WHEREAS, Justly recognized as a hero, Tom Drumm richly merits the admiration of this Legislative Body and his community for his consummate, swift action in saving the life of this woman in need; and WHEREAS, Moreover, Tom Drumm should be meritoriously commended for remaining calm under pressure and for showing valor and true courage while performing a lifesaving deed; and WHEREAS, Tom Drumm, in his spontaneous and heroic act, has so aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of his 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 Tom Drumm 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 Tom Drumm.