LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Michelle Margilaj 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 Michelle
Margilaj 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 a Friday night in late April of 2016, Michelle Margilaj,
while working at il Laghetto Restaurant on South Lake Boulevard, noticed
a capsized kayak with a man clinging to its side in Lake Mahopac; and
WHEREAS, After realizing there was also a small child in the water,
Michelle Margilaj, without hesitation, leaped into the bitter cold lake
and began swimming towards the capsized kayak; upon reaching the two
individuals, she flipped the eight-year-old boy on his back and brought
him back to safety; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Michelle Margilaj instructed the father of the
little boy to hold on to the kayak and kick his legs; he subsequently
also made it back to shore safely; and
WHEREAS, Once the two were brought inside, Michelle Margilaj and the
restaurant staff quickly went to work to help them as they waited for
the paramedics to arrive, covering the child with numerous tablecloths
to keep him warm; and
WHEREAS, A Hopewell Junction resident and Arlington High School gradu-
ate, Michelle Margilaj should be meritoriously commended for remaining
calm under pressure and for showing valor and true courage while
performing a lifesaving deed; and
WHEREAS, Through her spontaneous and heroic actions, Michelle Margilaj
demonstrated her character and her compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying, by virtue of her actions, the collective concern of citi-
zens 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 Michelle Margilaj upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent 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 tran-
smitted to Michelle Margilaj.