LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Lori Lawton and Jack Zeller for their
recent heroic action saving the life of seventh grader Dillon 'D.J.'
Gibson on January 13, 2011

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; and
WHEREAS, The immediate response of Oswego City School District Bus
Aide Lori Lawton and Bus Driver Jack Zeller exemplify their dedication
to and concern for the children of the district who ride the bus every
day; and
WHEREAS, A normal day was coming to a close as seventh grader Dillon
'D.J.' Gibson and Oswego City School District Bus Aide Lori Lawton
boarded the bus at Oswego Middle School for the lengthy trip home; and
WHEREAS, Lori Lawton works for the Oswego City School District as a
part-time Bus Aide as well as a Line Server at Oswego High School; on
January 13, 2011, she had the afternoon bus assignment; and
WHEREAS, As she was riding the late run out of the middle school she
did a bus check of students twice; as she was heading back toward the
front of the bus to check on the other children, she heard a student
shout "D.J. is choking!" and looked back to see him slumped in his seat;
and
WHEREAS, The other students quickly and helpfully moved away to
provide Lori Lawton with room; maintaining her composure, she grabbed
D.J. by his right arm, pulled him up, put her arms around him and start-
ed to do thrusts on his chest and, fortunately, was able to dislodge the
piece of candy cane he was eating from his throat; and
WHEREAS, While Lori Lawton was attending to D.J., Jack Zeller, the Bus
Driver, radioed for assistance and ably served as the communicator
between Lori Lawton and the emergency crews as 911 had been immediately
contacted; and
WHEREAS, Jack Zeller wisely pulled the bus over to the shoulder along
Route 48 and within minutes Emergency Medical Technicians from the
Minetto Fire Department were on the scene; and
WHEREAS, Moments later an Oswego City ambulance arrived and trans-
ported D.J. to the Oswego Hospital Emergency Room where the doctors
treated D.J., later releasing him and confirming that the quick reaction
of Lori Lawton and Jack Zeller had indeed saved D.J.'s life; and
WHEREAS, Dillon 'D.J.' Gibson, who says he knew what was going on and
was a little scared, is most grateful to Bus Aide Lori Lawton for what
she did for him, as is his grandmother, Marcella Gibson, who says we may
all rest assured that D.J. will not be eating candy on the bus again;
and
WHEREAS, Each month the Oswego City School District conducts training
on different safety topics with all of the members of its staff; soft-
spoken and modest, it is this training that Lori Lawton, downplaying her
role in the episode, credits with enabling her to help D.J.; and
WHEREAS, Justly recognized as heroes, Lori Lawton and Jack Zeller
richly merit the admiration of this Legislative Body and their community
for their consummate, swift action in saving the life of a child; and
WHEREAS, Lori Lawton and Jack Zeller, in their spontaneous and heroic
act, have aptly demonstrated their character and compassion for the
welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of their action, the collec-
tive concern of the citizens of Oswego and across the community of the
State of New York for our children, our most precious resource; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
grateful tribute to Oswego City School District Bus Aide Lori Lawton and
Bus Driver Jack Zeller for their heroic action saving the life of
seventh grader Dillon 'D.J.' Gibson on January 13, 2011, noting the
significance of their immediate response to come to the aid of another
in a life threatening situation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lori Lawton and Jack Zeller.