Tedisco Honors Greenfield Girl Scout with NYS Senate Liberty Medal for Saving Toddler from Drowning

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) tonight presented the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the Senate’s highest honor, to 12-year-old Amelia Juracka, a sixth grader from Greenfield, NY, who last summer saved her two-year-old cousin from drowning in the deep end of a pool.

This is the youngest person Senator Tedisco has ever honored with the New York State Liberty Medal and one of the youngest in state history. The ceremony took place at the Queensbury offices of the Girl Scouts of Northeastern, New York.

Amelia was attending a family gathering when her two-year-old cousin, Oliver, wandered into the deep end of a swimming pool. Amelia, citing water safety she learned as a camper at Hidden Lake Girl Scout Camp, recognized immediately that Oliver was in danger. She jumped into the pool and swam to him, pulling him up and out of the water to safety. Oliver was frightened but unharmed and everyone in attendance was grateful for Amelia’s quick response.

The New York State Senate Liberty Medal is passed by resolution and bestowed to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of fellow New Yorkers.

Juracka also received the Girl Scout Medal of Honor – only one of 27 Girl Scouts to receive this honor nationwide.

“When Amelia Juracka’s two-old-cousin wandered into the deep end of a pool, she didn’t hesitate to use the safety training she received as a Girl Scout to immediately respond and prevent a tragedy from happening.  I am proud to present the Senate’s highest honor, the Liberty Medal to Amelia for truly exemplifying the spirit of heroism and compassion and the best of New York,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.