LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Christopher Burke 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 Christopher
Burke 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, 20-year-old Christopher Burke has a special relationship with
water; an avid swimmer and surfer, he has been both a trained and certi-
fied lifeguard for the past five years; and
WHEREAS, Currently, this remarkable young man is one of several life-
guards employed at the Eisenhower Park Aquatic Center in East Meadow,
New York; and
WHEREAS, In July of 2015, while on vacation at the beach in Westhamp-
ton, New York, Christopher Burke heard an exhausted woman yelling for
help while she was swimming in the ocean; using his skills and training,
he rushed into the water and safely pulled her onto the shore; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Burke, 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 ordinary citizens across the community of the State of New
York who voluntarily respond when others are in need of help; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Christopher Burke upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent 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 Christopher Burke.