[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1064-E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           A RECOGNIZED HERO

                                 ______


                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 1996

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a special person 
and true hero--Chief Warrant Officer 2 Wade Chapple of Milford.
  The operations group soldier was recently awarded the Soldier's Medal 
of Honor for an act of heroism that saved a Colombian man's Life.
  Serving a 3-year tour as a tactical training advisor to the Colombian 
Army 10th Airborne Division in Malgar, Colombia, Chapple and his crew 
rescued an injured Colombian man who had fallen off a cliff.
  First, Chapple was able to diplomatically convince the base commander 
to provide a helicopter for the rescue. After landing on a small finger 
of open space nearly 700 feet below the injured victim, Chapple and his 
crew of two men went to work.
  Chapple scaled the vertical climb dragging a stretcher that was tied 
to his waste.
  Upon arriving at the injured man, Chapple notice multiple injuries 
and the man in shock. Working quickly to immobilize the man, Chapple 
and his crew eased the injured man slowly down the steep face of the 
mountain
  The helicopter rushed the victim back to the base and there a waiting 
ambulance rushed the man to the hospital. Three months later, Chapple 
met the man who was beginning to walk again and has since recovered.
  The incident was reported to Chapple's commanders by the Colombian 
Army without his knowledge.
  Chapple is a symbol of today's military. Compassionate, skilled and 
heroic. Wade put his life on the line to save a man he didn't even 
know. I am proud of Wade Chapple. His great and noble rescue has made 
our community smile.

[[Page E1065]]



    THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAJESTY, KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ'S 
                        ACCESSION TO THE THRONE

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 1996

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, on June 9, 1996, citizens of Thailand 
celebrated the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His 
Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This is a joyous moment for the 
people of Thailand and the people of the United States join with them 
on this special auspicious occasion.
  The King is a good friend of the United States. He permitted Thailand 
to be the most supportive nation in the region throughout the Vietnam 
war. He always makes sure that Thailand is a tremendous refuge for 
people fleeing repressive governments in the region.
  The King has underscored that Thailand is a democracy in an otherwise 
undemocratic region. His tact, intelligence, and grace has enabled 
Thailand to grow and prosper. He is in constant touch with his people 
and he travels regularly throughout Thailand.
  The King was born 68 years ago here in the United States and he is 
the world's longest serving living monarch. He is known as the 
``working king'' because of his extensive travels throughout Thailand 
and the 2,000 projects in Thailand that he initiated.
  Because of his diligent work, Thailand is a beacon of hope and serves 
as an example for other nations in the region.
  Accordingly, I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing His 
Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's a long, healthy, and prosperous life 
on this auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of his accession to 
the throne.

                          ____________________