Senate Resolution No. 5664

BY: Senator YOUNG

COMMENDING Alex Jones 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
significant 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 exemplary citizens who take prompt and
appropriate action in emergency situations, and in doing so, help others
to avert life-threatening danger; 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Alex Jones
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State
Senate; and

WHEREAS, After a visit to his hometown of Bolivar, New York,
18-year-old college student Alex Jones and his family were on their way
to drop him off at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania, when they
decided to stop at one of their favorite restaurants in Jamestown, New
York; and

WHEREAS, As Alex Jones and his family ate, he heard a woman asking
if anyone knew the Heimlich maneuver; having been trained in the
lifesaving procedure, Alex quickly ran over to help the victim who was
struggling to breathe; and

WHEREAS, The 89 year-old woman, who had spent time in a
concentration camp, was celebrating her grandson's induction into Phi
Beta Kappa, when she began to choke on her meal; and

WHEREAS, Alex Jones expertly performed the Heimlich maneuver on the
struggling woman and dislodged the food from her throat; afterwards, he
patiently stayed by her to make sure she was okay; and

WHEREAS, Remarkably, it was not the first time Alex Jones had
performed the Heimlich maneuver; he was leaving a Bolivar-Richburg
school function last year when he came to the aid of a young boy who was
choking on a piece of candy; and

WHEREAS, The son of Patrick and Beth Jones, Alex obtained his CPR
certification while he was attending the New Vision program for BOCES;
during this time, he shadowed Dr. Paul Axtell while he was working at
Jones Memorial Hospital and realized a career in orthopedic surgery
might be in his future; and


WHEREAS, Praised for his spontaneous actions, Alex Jones
demonstrated his true character and genuine 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; and

WHEREAS, Justly recognized as a hero, Alex Jones richly merits the
admiration of this Legislative Body and his community for his consummate
courage and heroic actions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Alex Jones 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 be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Alex Jones.