[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO HEROES WILLIAM RECKNER AND NATASCHA LYNN GEMAS

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK MASCARA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 30, 1996

  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a story of two very 
special individuals from southwestern Pennsylvania: William Reckner, a 
Vietnam veteran and Head Start bus driver, and Natascha Lynn Gemas.
  Last December, William Reckner rescued Natascha, age 2, from her 
burning Footedale home. The toddler was given a 20 percent chance of 
survival by admitting doctors. But after 2 months of treatment and 
rehabilitation, Natascha returned home. During her recovery, Mr. 
Reckner visited Natascha at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh and then at 
the Mountainview Regional Rehabilitation Hospital in Morgantown, WV.
  ``The more Natasha recovered, the more I recovered,'' Mr. Reckner 
said.
  I wish to join the citizens of the 20th Congressional District in 
saluting Mr. Reckner for his heroic effort, and ask that the story of 
his courage and compassion be entered in the Congressional Record. Mr. 
Reckner's personal sacrifice, and little Natasha's will to live should 
be a constant reminder to all of us that life is indeed the most 
precious gift one can give.

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