State Senator Venditto Presents New York State Liberty Medal to Hero from Massapequa

New York State Senator Michael Venditto (R, C, I- Massapequa) presented the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to Christopher Burke (above left), 20-year-old from Massapequa, for heroically saving a woman’s life.

Christopher is currently, one of several life-guards employed at the Eisenhower Park Aquatic Center in East Meadow and has been a trained and certified lifeguard for the past five years.

In July of 2015, while on vacation at the beach in Westhampton, NY , Christopher Burke heard an exhausted woman yelling for help while she was swimming in the ocean; using his skills and training, he rushed into the water and safely pulled her onto the shore.

“Christopher’s spontaneous and heroic actions helped save a life. By acting immediately as soon as he thought something was wrong, Christopher saved those precious few moments which often means the difference between someone living or dying. He’s a true hero and it is my pleasure to present him with this much deserved honor,” said Senator Venditto.

The New York State Senate Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors that a New Yorker can receive. Similar to the national Congressional Gold Medal, the award is given to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers and is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate.