[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 182 (Thursday, November 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S17188-S17189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HEROISM OF SHARON MANN AND THOMAS PREZKOP

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I call to the attention of my 
colleagues two people who have made a difference and saved someone's 
life. Everyday in communities across America men and women come face to 
face with life-threatening situations. In most cases, and usually 
without fanfare or widespread recognition, people make the quick 
decisions and take the actions that make a difference and save lives. 
This is the story of two of those people.
  On July 14 of this year, Sharon Mann and Thomas Prezkop of Andover, 
MA were enjoying a Friday night cruise aboard the Desperado in 
Gloucester Harbor when they noticed something out of the ordinary. They 
heard the sound of an engine racing out of control and in the darkness 
turned to investigate. From a distance they saw the lights of a small 
vessel circling and knew that something was wrong. Upon approaching the 
location they heard a man's cries for help. Closing in on the man's 
voice, they found Kevin Govoni in the cold water, threw him a life 
preserver and then pulled him aboard their vessel. Mr. Govoni was in 
bad shape. The circling vessel had hit him and the propeller had badly 
slashed his legs. Compounding Mr. Govoni's serious injuries, he was 
suffering from hypothermia from being immersed in the 50-degree water. 
Working as a team, Ms. Mann tended to Mr. Govoni by removing his soaked 
shirt, covering him, and applying first aid to stop the severe bleeding 
while Mr. Prezkop headed the Desperado toward the nearest Coast Guard 
station and called ahead to have an ambulance waiting.
  Upon their arrival at Coast Guard Station Gloucester, Mr. Govoni was 
transferred by ambulance to a local hospital. In hindsight, it becomes 
clear that with no other vessels in the vicinity, if Ms. Mann and Mr. 
Prezkop had simply decided not to get involved, a life could have been 
lost. However, due to their quick action and excellent judgment, a life 
has been saved and Mr. Govoni is recovering from his injuries.
  Thomas Prezkop and Sharon Mann are real heros--like heros who appear 
every day in this country. They are the ones whom we should be 
recognizing and admiring before so-called stars and celebrities. I 
recognize and salute the actions of Mr. Prezkop and Ms. Mann and I am 
glad to see that the service that specializes in such rescue, the U.S. 
Coast Guard, also recognizes a job well done. This Monday, November 30, 
1995, the Coast Guard will award Mr. Prezkop and Ms. Mann the Public 
Service Commendation for demonstrating courage and initiative in saving 
lives, qualities in keeping with the highest traditions of the Coast 
Guard. These awards are well deserved. On behalf of the people of 
Massachusetts, I wish to acknowledge our debt to them and express 
profound appreciation for their unselfish actions.

[[Page S 17189]]


                          U.S. BUREAU OF MINES

 Mr. BENNETT. I wish to bring to the attention of the chairman 
of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee a matter of great 
importance to the State of Utah--the matter of the impending closure of 
U.S. Bureau of Mines facilities throughout the United States. The 
facility in Salt Lake City will be closed and 115 jobs will be lost. 
The Salt Lake City facility has conducted valuable research in 
environmental remediation and water research. While I am disappointed 
that the Senate acceded to House demands that the Bureau of Mines be 
closed, I also recognize the long-term benefits resulting from the 
earnest efforts to reduce the budget deficit and downsize the Federal 
Government. And in recent weeks, a silver lining emerged in the cloud 
surrounding the closure of the Salt Lake City facility. Mr. President, 
the chairman will be pleased to learn that efforts are underway right 
now to make preparations to privatize the Salt Lake City Bureau of 
Mines facility.
  I would be remiss if I did not commend the staff of the Salt Lake 
City facility for their tremendous efforts to find a viable alternative 
which will prevent the technical expertise which has been accumulated 
for years from going to waste. On their own initiative, several 
employees have prepared a list of options in light of the pending 
closure. The most promising option and the one that the people of Utah 
are the most excited about, would permit the privatization of the 
Bureau of Mines facility. An interested group of investors and the 
employees of the Bureau of Mines have been in close contact in recent 
weeks to work out the details. Sufficient funding has been secured and 
should the facilities be transferred to the State of Utah, the State 
would in turn take the necessary steps to ensure the continued 
operation of these facilities under a consortium of private and State 
interests.
  Mr. President, the chairman knows, there is legislative language in 
H.R. 1977 which grants the Secretary of Interior the authority to 
convey without reimbursement, the title and all interest of several 
Bureau of Mines facilities to various State university and government 
entities. While the Salt Lake City facility is not mentioned directly, 
the language permits transfer of such facilities as the Secretary deems 
appropriate. May I ask the chairman if such a transfer would be 
appropriate for the Salt Lake City facility?
  Mr. GORTON. The Senator from Utah raises a very good point. Of course 
the transfer of the Salt Lake City facility would be appropriate. From 
what the Senator from Utah has explained to me, this is a unique 
opportunity to accomplish several goals at once. In keeping with our 
efforts to downsize the Federal Government, we can privatize certain 
government services, reducing the burden on the taxpayer while 
retaining essential research capabilities within the State of Utah. 
Such a transfer would permit the private sector, State university and 
the State of Utah to work in a cooperative effort to continue important 
environmental remediation research efforts.
  Mr. BENNETT. Is it the chairman's understanding that this action 
should occur as soon as possible?
  Mr. GORTON. It is my understanding that quick action is essential to 
the successful transfer of the facilities in Salt Lake City. While the 
fiscal year 1995 Interior Appropriations Act provides the Secretary of 
the Interior authority to transfer only certain Bureau facilities, both 
the House and Senate versions of the fiscal year 1996 Interior bill 
give the Secretary broader authority to transfer other facilities such 
as those in Salt Lake City. This authority was requested by the 
administration, is supported by both the House and Senate, and I have 
every reason to believe will be signed into law when action on the 
fiscal year 1996 bill is completed. I would urge the Bureau, the State 
of Utah, and other entities involved in the proposed transfer of the 
Salt Lake City facilities to work together in anticipation of this 
authority being granted. I will do everything in my power to see that 
the fiscal year 1996 bill is enacted in the coming weeks.
  Mr. BENNETT. I thank the chairman for his explanation as well as the 
excellent manner in which has managed this bill.

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