LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Rochelle Pratt 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 signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
all of us; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rochelle Pratt
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 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, Community Health Nurse for the St. Lawrence County Public
Health Department, Rochelle Pratt has been instrumental in educating the
Amish population of the St. Lawrence County communities of Lisbon, Oswe-
gatchie and DePeyster on the risk of rabies; and
WHEREAS, When an Amish horse in St. Lawrence County was diagnosed with
rabies, potentially placing other families and livestock at risk,
Rochelle Pratt, along with the St. Lawrence County Public Health Depart-
ment, provided critical assistance to contain the spread of the disease,
educating representatives of more than 60 Amish families; and
WHEREAS, The steadfast dedication of Rochelle Pratt and the St.
Lawrence County Public Health Department resulted in a successful part-
nership between state, county, private businesses and individuals, and
the post rabies treatment of several Amish individuals, as well as the
vaccination of nearly 100 Amish owned horses, livestock and pets during
subfreezing weather conditions; and
WHEREAS, This innovative and non-traditional method of reaching out to
the underserved Amish population, educating its community on the impor-
tance of vaccinating livestock, has been crucial to the protection
against rabies and other dangerous diseases; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Rochelle Pratt, devoted to improving the
quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth, are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rochelle Pratt 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 tran-
smitted to Rochelle Pratt.