LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Stephanie Stafford 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 incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Stephanie
Stafford 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 Sunday, March 8, 2015, an unattended frying pan sparked a
fire at a home on East Lake Road in Livonia, New York; and
WHEREAS, Upon arriving on scene, Sergeant Joseph Breu of the Living-
ston County Sheriff's Office found the homeowner, Reginald Hogan,
unwilling to leave the home, which was quickly becoming engulfed in
flames; in an effort to save the homeowner, Sgt. Breu, Chester Gascon
and Stephanie Stafford physically removed the man from the burning
structure; and
WHEREAS, Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty credited the
three as heroes, saying, "The efforts of Chet, Stephanie and Sergeant
Breu were lifesaving and for that, I thank them all"; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Stephanie Stafford upon the occasion of her designation as a
recipient of the Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Stephanie Stafford.