Senate Resolution No. 533

BY: Senator WEBER

COMMENDING Theodore Naftali Schischa 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 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, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort 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 Theodore Naftali Schischa 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

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, Early in the morning on Thursday, January 26, 2023, JetBlue
flight 571 was enroute from New York to Florida when about an hour into
the flight a woman suddenly fainted in the aisle; fortunately, EMT
Theodore Naftali Schischa from the Hatzoloh in Rockland County, New
York, immediately sprang into action and knelt to check on the woman;
and

WHEREAS, Using his extensive experience and knowledge, Theodore
Naftali Schischa checked her pulse and placed an oxygen mask over the
woman's mouth and nose and through his due diligence, she came to and
was conscious and talking when the plane landed; and

WHEREAS, Due to Theodore Naftali Schischa's expertise, the plane was
able to continue to Florida without further incident, and the woman was
treated on the scene by Broward County Sheriff emergency responders and
did not have to go to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, Theodore Naftali Schischa, in his spontaneous and heroic
act, has so aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for the
welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of his 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 are
in need of help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Theodore Naftali Schischa 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 Theodore Naftali Schischa.