[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E417-E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STEPHANIE WENDEROTH OF MADISON, A TRUE HOMETOWN HERO

                                 ______


                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 1996

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stephanie Wenderoth, 
a teen from my district whose bravery and quick thinking saved three 
children from a fire that virtually destroyed their home last month.
  Stephanie was babysitting for Hailey, Kendall, and Miller Carroll 
when a fire broke out in the living room of the Carroll's home in 
Madison, CT. Stephanie sent Hailey and Kendall running to the home of a 
neighbor, then dropped to her knees and crawled through thick smoke to 
find 3-year-old Miller. She found him after crawling through a thick 
cloud of smoke, then ran with him out of the house. Stephanie and 
Miller emerged from the fire covered with soot, but safe.
  Mr. Speaker, the dictionary defines courage as: mental or moral 
strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or 
difficultly. Stephanie Wenderoth has demonstrated exceptional courage 
that serves as an inspiration to citizens of all ages. As an

[[Page E418]]

asthmatic, crawling through the smoke was difficult, but Stephanie did 
not hesitate to take the risk and through her courage saved the lives 
of three children.
  In this day and age when genuine heroes are all too rare in our 
society, Stephanie dismisses attention to her feat by calling it ``just 
part of my job as a babysitter.'' Such modesty is yet another admirable 
trait of this extraordinary young woman. As her Representative in the 
U.S. House, I rise today to honor Stephanie Wenderoth as a true 
hometown hero.

                          ____________________