Senate Resolution No. 2763

BY: Senator SKOUFIS

COMMENDING Town of Marlborough Highway Department
employee Gary Lazaroff 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 Gary Lazaroff 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 July 10, 2019, in the Town of Marlborough, New York, a
fuel truck overturned, blocking two of the four lanes of Route 9W and
trapping the driver inside; luckily the accident took place in front of
the Town of Marlborough Highway Department and without hesitation,
Highway Employee Gary Lazaroff along with his co-workers sprang into
action; and

WHEREAS, The highway department employees were able to use the
front-end loader to position the police chief where he could extricate
the trapped driver; immediately following, Gary Lazaroff and the alert
team of highway department workers began dumping sand to create a berm
to contain the leaking fuel and protect the adjacent waterway; and

WHEREAS, At any moment, the very real danger of an explosive event
threatened the first responders, and thanks to their selfless response
and quick-thinking, a serious catastrophe was averted; and

WHEREAS, Gary Lazaroff in his spontaneous and heroic act, has so
aptly demonstrated the 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 Gary Lazaroff 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 Town of Marlborough Highway Department employee Gary
Lazaroff.