Last week, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) welcomed David Collins, recipient of the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, to the Assembly Chamber.

On June 29, 2013, David, who was then 12, was at a graduation party at a friend’s house swimming in the pool when he noticed another boy lying motionless at the bottom of the deep end. While other children in the pool thought the boy was playing, David immediately swam to the deep end, dove down 10 feet to the pool bottom and pulled the boy up to the surface, at which point he was lifeless. Adults performed CPR on the boy, who was taken to the hospital and released the next day. As a result of his actions, then-Sen. Charles Fuschillo and McDonough presented the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to David.

“It was an honor and privilege to welcome David to the Assembly. His quick thinking and ability to stay focused on the task at hand proved crucial in getting the help needed to prevent a disastrous loss of life. I was pleased to honor David with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, and I congratulate him for his extraordinary effort,” said McDonough.

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.

Video of McDonough introducing David to the Chamber can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTtN_IflNFQ