[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATIONS TO POSTAL WORKER WHO SAVED CHOKING 4 YEAR OLD

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                           HON. FRANK MASCARA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I would take a moment today to publicly 
thank Joanne Johnson, a postal worker from my district, who recently 
saved the life of a 4-year-old boy who had swallowed a quarter and was 
choking.
  On a recent dreary Monday morning, Joanne was delivering mail on a 
rural route in her hometown of Hopwood, PA, when she heard the screams 
of Rosemary Bradshaw who was standing on her front porch.
  Not really knowing what was wrong, Joanne jumped out of her mail 
truck and ran to the woman's aid. Mrs. Bradshaw's son, John Kenneth 
Thorpe, Jr. stood nearby in obvious distress, unable to breathe. 
Luckily, Joanne had built up a relationship with John since she began 
delivering the route in early spring. Daily the boy would raise the 
flag on his mailbox, even if there was nothing to pick up, just so he 
could chat and laugh with her. While Joanne had no formal training in 
CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, she coaxed him to come to her. She 
quickly flipped him around and squeezed him tightly. Fortunately the 
quarter popped out and John began to breathe again.
  Local postal officials intend to recognize Joanne for her heroism. As 
they correctly state, daily Postal Service workers across the country, 
like Joanne, help citizens in distress, but rarely are these events 
ever reported on the evening news.
  Joanne, naturally, does not see herself as a hero. She says she was 
just a the right place at the right time and would not hesitate to help 
again, if she could.
  But I know that is not the case. Joanne is a very special person and 
her family and neighbors and coworkers should be very proud of her. 
More importantly, each and everyone of us should try and emulate her 
efforts to reach out to others in need.
  Not surprisingly, little John knows a friend when he sees one. 
Lately, he has been leaving cards and presents for Joanne in the 
mailbox. She has been leaving him candy.

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