Senate Resolution No. 1262

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

COMMENDING Donna Monteleone 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 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 Donna
Monteleone 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, On Thursday, May 20, 2021, Ocean Avenue Elementary School
teacher aide Donna Monteleone was in the classroom when she noticed a
boy who had been sitting down, suddenly stand up, and heard a fellow
staff member ask the boy what was wrong; and

WHEREAS, Realizing the first-grader could not breathe, Donna
Monteleone watched her co-worker attempt to perform the Heimlich
maneuver on the boy; fortunately, Donna routinely trains at the local
firehouse in the use of the AED, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver and ran
over to begin abdominal thrusts; and

WHEREAS, After the boy began to throw up his lunch, Donna Monteleone
noticed there was still something in his throat, and continued to
perform the Heimlich as she moved him out of the classroom and away from
the view of the other children; and

WHEREAS, As Donna Monteleone led him out of the room, she saw
somebody and screamed to go get the nurse; she did a few more thrusts
and sure enough, on the last thrust the large piece of food popped out;
and

WHEREAS, The boy then took a big breath and dropped all of his
weight into Donna Monteleone's arms; as she attempted to carry him down
the hallway, the nurse and first responders arrived and took over his
medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, Due to Donna Monteleone's quick thinking and medical
training, the young boy made a full recovery; and

WHEREAS, Praised for her swift actions, Donna Monteleone
demonstrated her true character and genuine compassion for the welfare
of others, personifying, by virtue of her 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, Donna Monteleone richly merits
the admiration of this Legislative Body and her community for his
consummate courage and heroic actions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Donna Monteleone 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 Donna Monteleone.