Senate Resolution No. 14

BY: Senator BROOKS

COMMENDING Good Samaritans David DeWitt and
Mustafa Tosun 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 Good Samaritans David DeWitt and Mustafa Tosun 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, An elderly couple was rescued by Good Samaritan David
DeWitt, Good Samaritan Mustafa Tosun, off-duty Lake Success Police
Officer Robert Russo, off-duty Suffolk County Police Officer John Tighe,
and on-duty Suffolk County Police Officer Debra Gearon after their car
crashed into a roadside canal in Lindenhurst, New York, on Monday,
October 19, 2020; and

WHEREAS, The incident began when two vehicles were involved in a
minor car crash at Venetian Promenade and Montauk Highway; and

WHEREAS, As the two cars left the scene, one began backing up onto
the highway and was struck by a third car that subsequently crashed
through a fence and into the canal; it quickly began to sink, trapping a
78-year-old male who, was the driver, and his 76-year-old wife inside;
and

WHEREAS, Responding without hesitation, the five heroic individuals
leaped into action, jumping into the canal to rescue the couple; and

WHEREAS, The group was able to pull the man from the car but had to
break a window to extricate the woman, who was unconscious; after
Officer Robert Russo performed CPR on her, the woman's pulse and
breathing were soon restored; and

WHEREAS, Good Samaritan David DeWitt and Good Samaritan Mustafa
Tosun, in their spontaneous and heroic acts, have so aptly demonstrated
their character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying,
by virtue of their actions, 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 Good Samaritan David DeWitt and Good Samaritan Mustafa Tosun
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 Good Samaritan David DeWitt, and Good Samaritan Mustafa
Tosun.