[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1825-E1826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE HEROIC ACTS OF KIRK FISTICK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 1997

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic acts of 
a young man from my district. Kirk Fistick set aside his own fears of 
disease and infection to save another life. What sets this courageous 
act apart is that it took place in Russia. By crossing both language 
and cultural barriers with this remarkable act, Kirk became an 
Ambassador for the United States. Kirk's heroic acts led the Boy Scouts 
of America to award him the Honor Medal, an honor only given to 36 
people in 1993.
  Kirk was one of 40 students selected by the National Freedom Support 
Act Scholarship to represent our country as a foreign exchange student 
in Russia. One day during his stay in Russia, he came across a man on 
the side of the road who had stopped breathing. Kirk risked his own 
life to perform CPR three times before the ambulance arrived and was 
able to keep him alive until he could receive medical care. Kirk 
reminds us all, Russian and American, that the Good Samaritan still 
exists today.
  Kirk Fistick is the son of Robert and Patricia Fistick who reside in 
Charlotte Hall, MD. Kirk has an exceptional list of accomplishments. In 
addition to recently being awarded the Honor Medal, Kirk is an Eagle 
Scout and was awarded a National Certificate of Merit by the Boy Scouts 
of America for his help at the site of an automobile accident.
  Kirk's life has not been all fun and games. He had to endure a 2-year 
bout with Lyme disease which he contracted during the summer of 1993. 
At times during these 2 years he was so critically ill he could not 
walk or sit up straight and required hospitalization or home care, but 
Kirk is a fighter. Throughout his illness, he managed to achieve honor 
roll status and played ice hockey as part of his physical therapy.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join with me in honoring this 
outstanding young man for his many accomplishments and congratulate him 
on being awarded the Honor Medal.

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