Senate Resolution No. 276

BY: Senator MURRAY

COMMENDING Kayla Masotto 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, 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 Kayla Masotto 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, On Thursday, December 26, 2024, Kayla Masotto daringly
performed a lifesaving rescue on the icy waters of the Poospatuck Creek;
and

WHEREAS, From the living room of her home in Mastic, New York, Kayla
Masotto spotted a man on a jet ski in the partially frozen waters of the
creek; shortly after, she noticed smoke and the jet ski sinking, casting
the watercraft operator into the frigid water; and

WHEREAS, In an instant, Kayla Masotto sprang into action, retrieving
her still inflated paddle board from the basement of her home and ran to
the water; she was able to walk on top of the ice for most of the way to
the individual in need of help, and she then pulled the man, who was
already experiencing symptoms of hypothermia, safely onto her
paddleboard; and

WHEREAS, Other bystanders at a nearby marina assisted in the
situation by throwing a rope to Kayla Masotto and the jet ski operator,
aiding in their safe return to shore as Mastic Fire and EMS responders
arrived on the scene; and

WHEREAS, A truly brave and courageous individual, Kayla Masotto
played a vital role in this extraordinary rescue effort, and should be
praised by the people of this great Empire State for her swift actions
in working to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Kayla Masotto, 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 are in need of
help; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Kayla Masotto 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 Kayla Masotto.