Senate Resolution No. 5913

BY: Senator BENJAMIN

COMMENDING Bonnie Chapman 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; 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 Bonnie
Chapman 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, Bonnie Chapman was born on Long Island, New York, at Meadow
Brook Hospital on July 21, 1960, to Ann Chapman and Danny Myers; she has
three sisters and five brothers and grew up in Freeport, Long Island,
where she attended public schools until the10th grade; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 21, Bonnie Chapman moved to Douglass Houses
on the Upper West Side of New York City; for the past 19 years, she has
been working for the BronxWorks Willow Family Shelter, and currently she
serves as a security guard; and

WHEREAS, In her spare time, Bonnie Chapman enjoys reading, traveling
and spending time with her family; she loves helping people and giving
back to her community; and

WHEREAS, On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 11:45 a.m., a man doused his
32 year-old girlfriend with an unknown substance and set her on fire
during an argument in their Upper West Side eighth-floor apartment; the
victim, who was engulfed in flames, was knocking on doors and screaming
for help in the hallway of the Douglass Houses; quick-thinking neighbor,
Bonnie Chapman, grabbed a sheet from her own bed, wrapped the woman in
it, and doused the flames; and

WHEREAS, The victim suffered severe trauma and burns and was rushed
by medics to Harlem Hospital in critical condition where she remains
today and continues to be treated for her injuries; 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; Bonnie Chapman
is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of such high standards,
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Bonnie Chapman 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 Bonnie Chapman.