Senate Resolution No. 1694

BY: Senator BROOKS

HONORING Zahrah Ibrahim 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
significant 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
us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Zahrah
Ibrahim 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
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, On March 19, 2017, Zahrah Ibrahim was watching a basketball
game at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, in Merrick, New York, when she
heard her mother yell for help from across the court; she swiftly ran
over to discover her grandmother was slumped over in her seat and not
responding to commands; and

WHEREAS, Acting quickly, Zahrah Ibrahim asked her father to lower
her grandmother onto the gym floor, where she checked to see if her
grandmother had a pulse; after she could not find one, she started the
compressions on her grandmother's chest, like she learned in gym class;
after about a minute, her grandmother came to and was immediately taken
to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, Through her spontaneous and heroic actions, Zahrah Ibrahim
demonstrated her character and compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying, by virtue of her actions, the collective concern of
ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond without the thought of reward when others are in need of help;
and

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York, there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; Zahrah Ibrahim
is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our

attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Zahrah Ibrahim 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
transmitted to Zahrah Ibrahim.