[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 60 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              A BRAVE TALE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS CANNON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 1998

  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor an 
extraordinary American and constituent of mine from the Third District 
of Utah.
  On March 12, 1998, Sgt. First Class Bryan Smethurst, a recruiter for 
the Army National Guard in Utah, was on his daily morning commute 
through Provo Canyon. Little did he know at the time that he would 
perform an uncommon act of bravery that Thursday morning that would 
save the life of a woman, her pregnant daughter and her three year old 
granddaughter.
  The morning was pretty typical for that time of year and Bryan 
Smethurst was driving the icy and wet Provo Canyon road to work. But 
through the hazy windshield that morning he spotted something a little 
different--fresh skid marks on the asphalt were up ahead and then 
veered toward the river to an overturned car. Realizing that the 
accident must have just occurred--it would have been cleaned up by then 
if it had happened earlier--he stopped to investigate. The sight to 
behold left him no time to assess the danger to himself: He dove into 
the freezing Provo River to rescue the occupants of the overturned car.
  In moments, Bryan was struggling out of the river and pulling to 
safety the driver of the car, a young and pregnant woman who was 
frantically trying to help her mother and daughter still trapped. 
Rushing back into the river and moving against the current, Bryan was 
able to open one of the car doors and pull the grandmother to safety. 
The third passenger of the overturned car was a child, who although 
quite secure in a car seat, was trapped upside-down with the icy river 
flowing just below her eyebrows. Battling an impending numbness in his 
hands from the freezing water and weather, Bryan released the child 
from the car seat and brought her safely to shore as well.
  All three occupants of the car had to be treated at a local hospital 
for hypothermia, minor cuts and bruises. They were able to return to 
their homes later in the day.
  Three lives were saved on the morning of March 12 by Sgt. First Class 
Bryan Smethurst, a courageous individual who acted without regard for 
his own life, but rather in the name of unselfish and brotherly love.
  It is precisely for such acts of bravery and kindness that we must 
strive to convey the appropriate recognition, honor and gratitude.

                          ____________________