Senate Resolution No. 2713

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMENDING Leigha Walker 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 the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations to preserve the
life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Leigha Walker 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, Leigha Walker is a three-sport athlete and a team captain;
she also rides horses; she has the ability to immediately decide whether
to pass the ball or guide a sprinting horse to the left or right of an
obstacle; she is one of only 15 students to take the CPR training course
the previous year; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Holley, New York, and an honors student at
Holley High School, Leigha Walker saved the life of a man whose vehicle
crashed into the Brockport Subway restaurant where the 18-year-old young
woman is employed; and

WHEREAS, On the morning of Sunday, June 9, 2024, Leigha Walker was
working her shift when a man crashed his truck into a support beam for
the overhang outside the restaurant; and

WHEREAS, Leigha Walker immediately called 9-1-1 and ran outside to
check on the driver, an older man who was unconscious inside the locked
truck; accompanied by two customers, another driver, and a co-worker,
this courageous and resourceful hero, who is used to staying calm and
being decisive in stressful situations, acted quickly and calmly to help
save the man's life while awaiting the ambulance; and

WHEREAS, Leigha Walker secured a wooden rod that was used to prop
open the back door of the restaurant; this was instrumental in breaking
the window on the passenger side of the truck; one of the rescuers
reached into the vehicle and unlocked the door, cutting his arm; and

WHEREAS, A Subway employee and Leigha Walker pulled the driver out
and carefully set him on the ground; the compassionate teen rolled up a
blanket to provide a makeshift pillow for the driver's head; the
gentleman gasped for air; and

WHEREAS, Checking the man's vital signs, Leigha Walker observed a
slight pulse; firefighters from the Brockport Fire District soon
arrived; while preparing an automated external defibrillator (AED), it
was suggested that someone commence CPR; and

WHEREAS, Certified in CPR training, Leigha Walker started chest
compressions until the AED was administered; Monroe Ambulance arrived
and transported the man to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, From the 9-1-1 call to the transport to the hospital, the
response was only 12 minutes in duration; the conscientious Subway
employee still worked the remaining four hours of her shift; and

WHEREAS, Due to Leigha Walker's noble and courageous actions, a
precious life was saved, and a seemingly dire situation had positive
results; this humble hero received messages from the driver's
brother-in-law and granddaughter, thanking her for making a difference;
and

WHEREAS, The Chief of the Brockport Fire District credits Leigha
Walker with making a tremendous difference for the driver, administering
lifesaving CPR in a timely manner; for her quick response and
"outstanding acts," she will be recognized by the District; and

WHEREAS, The Assistant Principal of Holley High School expressed the
pride in Leigha Walker within the school district; the ambitious student
works shifts at Subway restaurant while attaining top grades in her
classes; she plans to attend Morrisville State College to play soccer
and study equine management; and

WHEREAS, Leigha Walker, in her spontaneous and heroic act, has so
aptly demonstrated her character and compassion for the welfare of
others, personifying, by virtue of her action, the collective concern of
ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond without thought of danger or reward when others need help; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Leigha Walker 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 Leigha Walker.