Senate Resolution No. 3079

BY: Senator RITCHIE

COMMENDING Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney
Ward and Elizabeth Conners upon the occasion of
their 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 Amanda
Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Elizabeth 'Libby' Conners upon the
occasion of their designation as recipient of the 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 the hot afternoon of July 9, 2017, a family outing
turned tragic in a matter of moments when a group of children and adults
began to struggle in the water near Lake Ontario; and

WHEREAS, Believing they were safely swimming in the channel, the
group of friends and family members were unexpectedly pulled under by
the ominous current; one adult and one child made it safely to shore at
the same time two other adults went to the aide of twin girls; and

WHEREAS, Just when the distressed group could no longer hold on,
they saw someone swimming towards them; and

WHEREAS, Amanda Lloyd, a 2015 graduate from the South Jefferson
Central School District and her friends, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and
Libby Conners, 2016 graduates from the same school district, were taking
a break from a kayaking adventure in South Sandy Creek; and

WHEREAS, The four young adults were kayaking in South Sandy Creek,
not in the mouth of Lake Ontario; they had stopped to rest on the
opposite side of the sand dune, and as Libby was walking around, she
noticed the five people far out in the water; and

WHEREAS, She ran back to her friends and thinking as quickly as
possible, the teenagers sprang into action; Nathan and Delaney, both of
whom are certified lifeguards, and Amanda jumped in the water to help

while Libby called 911 and aided the Coast Guard and local police find
the potential drowning victims; and

WHEREAS, In the midst of all the commotion, another tragic yet
heroic event was unfolding; 64 year-old grandmother, Yvonne E. Kraus,
ignored the request from her daughter to stay on shore and jumped in the
water to aid in the rescue of her family members; unfortunately, she
died a hero while responding without hesitation or due concern for her
own welfare and safety; and

WHEREAS, Through their spontaneous and heroic actions, Amanda Lloyd,
Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Libby Conners demonstrated their
character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by
virtue of their actions, the collective concern of ordinary citizens
across the community of the State of New York, who are readily willing
to respond when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Elizabeth Conners
upon the occasion of their 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 Amanda Lloyd, Nathan Tyler, Delaney Ward and Elizabeth
Conners.