Senate Resolution No. 1268

BY: Senator PALUMBO

COMMENDING Lisa Schoenstein 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord of its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Lisa Schoenstein 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, After working an entire day, Billy Gremler, known as Billy
of Billy's By the Bay, and his fiance, Lisa Schoenstein, jumped on their
boat to do some fishing and wound up in a terrible boat explosion that
first split the boat in two before sinking it; and

WHEREAS, The powerful explosion landed Billy in the water with
severe injuries to his back and head; and

WHEREAS, Lisa Schoenstein was thrown against the bulkhead and landed
in the water; she heard the screams of her fiance and swam over to him;
and

WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Lisa Schoenstein cradled Billy's head
to keep it out of the water and swam them both back to the dock ladder;
she was assisted by a crew member at Safe Harbor Marina, who had jumped
into a dinghy to help; and

WHEREAS, Lisa Schoenstein unselfishly put aside her own injuries,
broken clavicle, broken scapula, dislocated shoulder, broken wrist,
three fractured ribs, and burns on both her feet and her hands, to save
Billy; cognizant of her own injuries and still able to save another is
the definition of a true hero; and

WHEREAS, Praised for her swift actions, Lisa Schoenstein
demonstrated her sincere 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, Lisa Schoenstein richly merits
the admiration of this Legislative Body and her community for her
consummate courage and heroic actions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Lisa Schoenstein 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 Lisa Schoenstein.