Senate Resolution No. 1266

BY: Senator HELMING

COMMENDING Laura Rundell 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, 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 Laura Rundell 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, Laura Rundell, a Seneca Falls Middle School health teacher,
is credited with saving a student who was choking in her classroom; and

WHEREAS, On June 9, 2021, Laura Rundell was teaching a class when
she heard a loud bang, like someone was pounding on the top of a desk;
she looked around and noticed one of her students, 13-year-old Allyson
Fenton, with her hands near her throat and her face was starting to turn
red; and

WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Laura Rundell went to Ally and asked
her if she was okay; she shook her head no, and put her hands around her
neck again and was not able to speak; and

WHEREAS, Laura Rundell, who is slightly shorter than Ally, darted
behind her and started performing abdominal thrusts, commonly known as
the Heimlich maneuver; after about six thrusts, the item the student was
choking on, the cap to a water bottle, was dislodged and expelled; and

WHEREAS, Laura Rundell, 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 are in need of
help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Laura Rundell 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 Laura Rundell.