[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SALUTATIONS TO A LOCAL HERO

                                 ______


                        HON. STEVE C. LaTOURETTE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 1996

  Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Coast Guard earlier this year 
presented its highest lifesaving honor, the Gold Lifesaving Medal, to 
Kenneth M. Bauer of Mentor, OH.
  On the afternoon of June 21, 1995, Bauer was mowing the backyard of 
his father's home on Thunderbird Drive in Mentor-on-the-Lake when he 
heard cries for help coming from Lake Erie. He could see two men about 
200 yards offshore, both struggling to retrieve an inflatable raft. 
With no thought to his own safety, Bauer grabbed two floatation devices 
and ventured into the 65-degree waters, battling the merciless, 5-foot 
Lake Erie waves.
  I would like to think if we were faced with the same circumstances as 
Bauer--two men pleading for help in the choppy waters of Lake Erie, 
unable to reach their raft, we would react in the same manner and place 
the lives and safety of others above our own. However, I think we know 
that would not be the case. Some would react with cowardice, 
indifference, paralyzing fear or panic. Fortunately, Bauer did not.
  He swam out into the lake, gave one of the personal floatation 
devices to the nearest victim, Tim Novak, and continued farther out to 
reach the second victim, Christopher Arhar. By the time Bauer reached 
Arhar, he had slipped under the water. Bauer didn't give up. Instead, 
he continued to dive under the waves until he reached Arhar, dragging 
him to the surface by his arm. For 15 minutes, without any flotation 
device of his own, Bauer held onto Arhar, keeping his head above water.
  Tragically, a wave crashed down and Arhar was ripped from Bauer's 
grasp. Again, he searched for Arhar, but could not find him. Exhausted, 
Bauer returned to shore.
  What Ken Bauer attempted to do that afternoon was not only heroic, 
but miraculous. One man, Novak, owes his life to Bauer. Another, Arhar, 
sadly lost his, withering in the icy grip of the lake that has claimed 
so many over the years.
  Shortly after the heroic rescue, Bauer spoke to reporters about the 
last words he heard from Arhar before his struggle ended: ``Please help 
me.''
  I would imagine Bauer has relived this scene in his mind countless 
times, and maybe even second-guessed himself. ``Please help me'' are 
words that would haunt anyone. However, this extraordinary man should 
know that he did all within his power to save these two men, far more 
than most would do. At that moment in life when Bauer faced a true gut-
check, he showed a valiant, selfless side we all must admire.
  Bauer possesses the proudest of legacies of what it means to be an 
American--about our absolute necessity to help others in times of dire 
crisis. He restores our faith that good deeds indeed happen. This is 
one that will not go unnoticed.
  There are times in life when we need affirmation that ours is a 
Nation made up of compassionate, thoughtful people. Sometimes we need 
to be reminded that Americans do extraordinary deeds for others every 
day, not because they seek recognition, but because everyday life 
requires it.
  What Ken Bauer did last June 21 was, by definition, an extraordinary 
deed. On behalf of the residents of the 19th District of Ohio, he 
deserves our highest praise and thanks.

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