LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Debra Lucchese upon the occasion of
receiving the New York State Department of Corrections and Community
Supervision's 2014 Medal of Merit

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, remaining calm
under pressure, to come to the assistance of persons in peril; and
WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of human life are cherished values,
worthy of safeguarding; this Legislative Body is proud to honor an indi-
vidual who would serve to protect these ideals; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Debra Lucchese upon the occasion of receiving the New York State Depart-
ment of Corrections and Community Supervision's 2014 Medal of Merit, to
be celebrated on Thursday, June 12, 2014, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, On June 17, 2013, Debra Lucchese, a Keyboard Specialist 2 at
Shawangunk Correctional Facility was at her home in Newburgh, New York,
when she observed smoke and flames coming from her elderly neighbor's
back deck; and
WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Debra Lucchese pushed in her neighbor's
door, ran up the stairs, and calmly led the woman safely out of the
house; her actions, without regard to her own safety, can only be
described as heroic; and
WHEREAS, Debra Lucchese's immediate response and spontaneous actions
should be meritoriously praised; equally commendable was her ability to
remain calm under pressure, while risking her own life to perform a
truly valiant deed; and
WHEREAS, Through her spontaneous and heroic actions, Debra Lucchese
demonstrated her character and her compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying, by virtue of her actions, the collective concern of ordi-
nary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond without the 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
honor Debra Lucchese upon the occasion of receiving the New York State
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's 2014 Medal of
Merit; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Debra Lucchese.