LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Luke Rosenthal 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 incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant 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 those exemplary citizens, who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, and in doing so,
help others to avert life-threatening danger; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Luke Rosenthal
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 a
resolution in 2014 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, In early October of 2014, eight-year-old Luke Rosenthal, a
third grade student at Meadowbrook Elementary School, was playing in a
tree house in the backyard of his Levittown home when he heard cries
from his elderly neighbor, and saw she was being attacked by dozens of
yellow jackets; and
WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Luke Rosenthal, the son of Margaret and
Lieutenant Jeff Rosenthal, put on a protective vest his father had fash-
ioned for him and immediately sprang into action; he swatted away the
bees, removed the woman from harm, and summoned another neighbor to call
the East Meadow Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Although the victim sustained several bites and a broken
wrist, Luke Rosenthal's astute and courageous actions truly saved the
life of his neighbor; and
WHEREAS, In addition to this auspicious Liberty Medal, Luke Rosenthal
was honored by both the Town of Hempstead and the East Meadow Fire
Department before the department's board of commissioners meeting on
December 1, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Luke Rosenthal, through his spontaneous and heroic actions,
demonstrated his character and his compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying, by virtue of his actions, the collective concern of ordi-
nary citizens across the community of the State of New York who volun-
tarily respond when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Luke Rosenthal 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 tran-
smitted to Luke Rosenthal.