Senate Resolution No. 1413

BY: Senator STEC

COMMENDING Elizabeth Mae Maxwell and Viviana Bravo
upon the occasion of their designation as recipients
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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Elizabeth
Mae Maxwell and Viviana Bravo upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients 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, At approximately 5:45 pm, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, then
17-year-old Viviana Bravo and then 18-year-old Elizabeth Mae Maxwell
were traveling on the Adirondack State Northway between exits 15 and 16
when they noticed a truck swerving in between the lanes in front of
them; and

WHEREAS, A man was driving along the road with his wife when he
suddenly lost consciousness; after she was able to safely pull the
vehicle over to the side of the road, Viviana Bravo and Elizabeth Mae
Maxwell also pulled over and immediately called 911 before running over
to help the couple; and

WHEREAS, Upon their arrival, Viviana Bravo and Elizabeth Mae Maxwell
quickly noticed the woman was panicking because her husband was
unconscious and had stopped breathing; without regard for their safety,
the two teenagers opened the car door, pulled the man out of the
driver's seat, carefully placed him on the ground, and began to perform
CPR on him, the first time they had done so on a human being; and

WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, the Wilton EMS arrived on the scene and
took over with an AED to continue life-saving measures; Viviana Bravo
and Elizabeth Mae Maxwell stayed with the wife to comfort her and pray
with her while EMS was working on her husband; and

WHEREAS, Praised for their swift actions, Elizabeth Mae Maxwell and
Viviana Bravo demonstrated their true character and genuine 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 voluntarily respond when others are in need; and


WHEREAS, First generation Mexican-American Viviana Bravo studied
culinary arts and hospitality at BOCES where she was an award winner at
the SkillsUSA competition; today, she is a sophomore at the Culinary
Institute of America pursuing her bachelor's degree in Hospitality
Management; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from North Warren Central School in June
of 2022, Elizabeth Mae Maxwell is majoring in Culinary Arts at SUNY
Adirondack; and

WHEREAS, Justly recognized as heroes, Elizabeth Mae Maxwell and
Viviana Bravo richly merit the admiration of this Legislative Body and
their community for their consummate courage and heroic actions; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Elizabeth Mae Maxwell and Viviana Bravo upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients 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 Elizabeth Mae Maxwell and Viviana Bravo.