[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1463-E1464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO EDDIE MOSER AND KENT JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 1997

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor two firefighters from the Sixth District of North Carolina, Eddie 
Moser and Kent James of Burlington, NC. While enjoying time off from 
work at a nearby lake, they rescued four people from a boat that had 
capsized and brought them to shore. Three survived, but unfortunately, 
they were unable to save the fourth victim.
  Just minutes earlier, the four were getting into the boat at a pier 
while the two firefighters were waiting to remove their own boat and 
load it onto a trailer. The four motored out into the lake, when 
excessive weight in the forward portion of the boat caused water to 
seep in. Panicking, the four boaters started screaming as the boat 
began to sink. Moser and James heard the cries for help and jumped into 
their own boat and quickly motored out. By the time the firefighters 
got to them, the boat was overturned and only one of the passengers was 
swimming. Moser and James put two of the struggling passengers safely 
into a third boat operated by a passerby and swam the remaining 
passengers to shore. The firefighters gave CPR to one of them, a 44-
year-old Gibsonville man who had been caught under the boat and could 
not swim. Unfortunately, the efforts were too late and Earl M. Smith, 
Jr., passed away.
  During the first 10 to 12 minutes of the rescue, the firefighters had 
no lifesaving equipment other than their own manpower. It was in those 
minutes that their water safety and lifesaving skills as firefighters 
saved the lives of Melvin Murray, Nellie Murray, and Jill Marley. Jill 
Marley, the only passenger who could swim, says that Moser and James 
not only saved her life, but the lives of her boyfriend and her 
boyfriend's mother. The firefighters utilized their training in CPR, 
EMT, and water rescue to make this heroic rescue.
  Burlington Fire Chief Frank Andrews has honored both men with a 
distinguished Life Saver Award. He said he would ask the Burlington 
City Council to give the two an accommodation honoring their actions. 
However, the two firefighters said they are humbled by all the 
attention. They felt they were just trying to help those in need and 
were not seeking any recognition. They said they did what any other 
trained person would have done. Burlington Fire Operation Chief Tommy 
Belton feels that

[[Page E1464]]

they did something out of the ordinary and he is very proud of them.
  Moser has been with the Burlington Fire Department for 9 years and 
James has been with the department for 6 years. These brave men should 
be recognized and commended for their outstanding act of public 
service. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North 
Carolina, it is my honor to recognize those who risked their own lives 
to save others. We are all grateful for their selfless act.

                          ____________________