Senate Resolution No. 2899

BY: Senator REICHLIN-MELNICK

COMMENDING Carlos Ramiro Yaque and Edwin A. Santa
Cruz 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 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 Carlos Ramiro Yaque and Edwin A. Santa Cruz 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, Carlos Ramiro Yaque from Spring Valley, New York, and Edwin
A. Santa Cruz from Airmont, New York, were busy performing landscaping
work in a backyard on the afternoon of July 7, 2022, when they noticed a
disturbance in a neighboring pool; and

WHEREAS, After witnessing a homeowner struggling to rescue a woman
from his pool to no avail, these courageous men swiftly entered the pool
area where they immediately and without hesitation, jumped into the
pool; and

WHEREAS, With the help of both men working together, they were able
to lift the woman out of the water and began performing first aid and
CPR as others present called for EMS; within minutes, members of the
Ramapo Police Department and Hatzolah EMS arrived on the scene; and

WHEREAS, Due to the quick thinking and selfless response of Carlos
Ramiro Yaque and Edwin A. Santa Cruz, the woman was not only alive, but
responsive at the scene; she was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where
she fully recovered; and

WHEREAS, Two truly brave and courageous men, Carlos Ramiro Yaque and
Edwin A. Santa Cruz played a vital role in this extraordinary rescue
effort, and should be praised by the people of this great Empire State
for their astute actions in preserving the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, Carlos Ramiro Yaque and Edwin A. Santa Cruz
should be meritoriously commended for remaining calm under pressure and
for showing valor and true courage while performing a lifesaving deed;
and

WHEREAS, Carlos Ramiro Yaque and Edwin A. Santa Cruz, in their
spontaneous and heroic acts, 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 Carlos Ramiro Yaque and Edwin A. Santa Cruz 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 Carlos Ramiro Yaque and Edwin A. Santa Cruz.