New York State Sen. Michael Venditto recently presented the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to Christopher Burke, a 20-year-old from Massapequa, for heroically saving a woman’s life.
Burke’s story was recently told in the July 22 issue of the Massapequa Observer in the story “A Day In The Life Of A Lifeguard,” in which he shared how he spends his day at the pool as a certified lifeguard.
He is currently one of several lifeguards 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, Burke heard a woman in distress, yelling for help while she was swimming in the ocean. Using his skills and training, he rushed into the water and safely pulled her to 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,” said Venditto. “He’s a true hero and it is my pleasure to present him with this much deserved honor.”
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.
This was the first Liberty Medal Venditto has bestowed upon a New Yorker, and he was glad to give the first one to a fellow Massapequan, as Venditto himself lives in the area with his wife and young son. Burke was taken aback and humbled to receive the award.
“To be awarded the New York State Senate Liberty Medal was a complete honor and unexpected surprise,” said Burke. “It was an experience that I will never forget.”
