LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lawrence Gabriel 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 Lawrence
Gabriel 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, Lawrence Gabriel proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Army in Iraq; a current Syracuse-area resident, he was
working as a bouncer at McAvan's Pub on Syracuse, New York's Tipperary
Hill on February 1, 2015, when a man armed with a gun came into the
establishment and started firing at the crowd; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Gabriel, along with his cousin, immediately tackled
the gunman and dragged him outside, away from the facility to ensure the
safety of the patrons inside; due to his quick and heroic actions,
numerous lives were saved; and
WHEREAS, During the struggle, Lawrence Gabriel was shot four times,
including two shots to his abdomen; even though he was transported to
the hospital in critical condition, Lawrence recovered after months of
operations and intense rehabilitation; unfortunately, six people inside
the pub were also shot; and
WHEREAS, According to the Onondaga County District Attorney's office,
the rampage was recorded as the largest mass shooting in Syracuse's
history; the gunman was apprehended soon after the shooting and has
since been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison; and
WHEREAS, Today, Lawrence Gabriel is continuing to recover from his
injuries and reclaiming his life; he has been working out at Ray
Rineldi's West Side Gym, pursuing his lifelong dream of professional
boxing; on February 27, 2016, he took to the boxing ring at the Holiday
Inn in Liverpool, New York, and competed amidst the cheers of hundreds
of supporters; and
WHEREAS, On December 7, 2015, Lawrence Gabriel was named a Red Cross
of Central New York Military Real Hero for his brave actions, both in
military and civilian life; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Gabriel has demonstrated his strong character and
compassion for the welfare of others in his community, and across the
State of New York, and this outstanding individual deserves to be
commended; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Gabriel, 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 Lawrence Gabriel upon the occasion of his designation as a 2016

recipient of the Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lawrence Gabriel.