[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2323-S2324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE VALUE OF LIFE: HARVEY C. KRAUTSCHUN DAY IN SOUTH DAKOTA

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, men are measured by both word and deed, 
yet the greater measure of man is by their deeds. A man's deeds shape 
the character of mankind. Our active protection of human life is a 
monumental measure of mankind's character. Harvey Krautschun's deeds 
define the essence of ``being committed to life'' and

[[Page S2324]]

his own personal character--one that should be a model for mankind.
  All South Dakotans know Harvey for his great service in our State 
legislature. He has served in the legislature for 11 years. He has been 
the Speaker of the State House of Representatives for a year. Recently, 
Harvey announced he will not seek reelection. This is unfortunate. His 
shoes will be hard to fill. But I rise today to pay tribute to Harvey's 
contributions not as an elected official, which are many, but in his 
singular contribution as a loving, caring husband.
  Recently, Gov. Bill Janklow declared Saturday, February 24, Harvey C. 
Krautschun Day in South Dakota. This honor was given for the life he 
saved--the life of his wife, Joy. He stood by Joy's hospital bed as she 
lay comatose for a month, fighting for her life. Because of his 
constancy and commitment to his wife's life, even as doctors began 
discussing terminating life-support, Harvey's devotion remained 
unmoved. He would see his wife awake again.
  Harvey demonstrated bravery, courage, and faith in protecting his 
wife's life. Joy found herself in this condition also because of 
bravery and courage. In July of 1995, when a newborn colt jumped into 
an 8-foot-deep pond, Joy jumped in to save the colt. While trying to 
save the colt, Joy's heart suddenly failed. Harvey rushed to her side, 
and began administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Their son, Bart, 
rushed to find additional help, calling an ambulance. Bart returned to 
his mother's side and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on her. 
Father and son together fought to save Joy's life. The massive heart 
failure pushed her into a coma. Miraculously, Joy awoke from her coma. 
Her recovery from the massive heart arrhythmia would entail months of 
hospitalizations and therapy. Joy did recover, she did awaken from the 
coma, and today she is living with her family. Doctors had believed she 
would not live. But Harvey and his family made a commitment to Joy's 
life, and, thereby, saved her.
  To speak of saving a life, to speak of heroism measures a man's 
values and ideals. To take courageous, loving actions measures a man's 
valor and commitments. Considering the turbulence surrounding all of us 
on a daily basis, at times finding simple answers to our problems is 
difficult, if not humanly impossible. Some mornings while reading the 
South Dakota newspapers, I wonder, ``What keeps people so strong?'' In 
the quake of unforseen events--I have found strength in faith and 
prayer. So when I heard of the sudden accident of Joy Krautschun and 
the courageous and enduring actions of her husband, Harvey, I knew 
faith in the human spirit and prayer are the strongest, most powerful 
agent we have to combat the turbulence in our lives.
  I have personally known Harvey for many years. As fellow runners, we 
jogged together through Spearfish Canyon. As a South Dakota statesman, 
Harvey has dutifully represented and protected his community, State, 
and all human life. Harvey has always been there for his constituents. 
In cases where the problem stretched to the Federal level, Harvey took 
the initiative to seek out help. It has been my pleasure to have worked 
with Harvey on such cases in the past. Harvey truly believes in 
fighting the good fight.
  I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Harvey's leadership 
in the South Dakota Legislature. I trust and appreciate his views and 
advice on State and national issues. Harvey and his entire family are 
good, exemplary people and patriots of their Spearfish community.
  Harriet and I wish Harvey and his family many more years of health 
and happiness. Harvey, Joy and their family continue to be in our 
thoughts and prayers. Knowing a man who is so committed in faith and 
deed to community, State, country, family, and the very essence of life 
is an honor. Harvey is true to his rocksolid beliefs in both word and 
deed.
  February 24 may have been Harvey Krautschun Day for South Dakota, but 
it's safe to say that for Joy Krautschun, every day is Harvey 
Krautschun day.


  

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