Senate Resolution No. 549

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING Charles Everhart, Jr. 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 Charles Everhart, Jr. 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, In January of 2023, Buffalo school bus driver Charles
Everhart, Jr. was in the midst of his very first solo route dropping off
a young student at the corner of Seventh and Carolina streets, a couple
of blocks from the student's residence in an apartment complex, when he
heard loud gunshots ring out from a group of boys on the adjacent
corner, about 50 feet away; and

WHEREAS, Charles Everhart, Jr. immediately sprang into action and
ran to the back of the bus to lift the hatch and yelled for the student
to keep running; the commotion caused the young men who were involved in
the shooting to flee on foot; and

WHEREAS, Charles Everhart, Jr. then alerted police, told them the
direction the youths ran and drove around the block to the student's
address to make sure he entered his residence safely; due to Charles'
selfless efforts, the frightened second grader made it home safely; and

WHEREAS, A few weeks later, Charles Everhart, Jr. was assigned that
same bus route and took an extra few minutes to drive the grateful,
young boy right to his door; and

WHEREAS, Charles Everhart, Jr. has always been an active member of
his community as a member of the True Bethel Baptist Church and as a
volunteer for various organizations; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his position with First Student, Charles Everhart,
Jr. was the Regional Manager of Hallcon/Renzenberger where he flew
across the country training other regional managers; in this capacity,
he was responsible for 300 drivers, eight supervisors, and 100 vehicles
in five states; and

WHEREAS, Charles Everhart, Jr., in his spontaneous and heroic acts,
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 Charles Everhart, Jr. 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 Charles Everhart, Jr.