[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 63 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5012-S5013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION LIFESAVING MEDAL 
                               RECIPIENTS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I am proud to announce to the Senate 
today the names of the two young men who have been selected to receive 
the 1998 American Automobile Association Lifesaving Medal. This award 
is the highest honor given to members of the school safety patrol.
  There are roughly 500,000 members of the school safety patrol in this 
country, helping over 50,000 schools. Every day, these young people 
ensure that their peers arrive safely at school in the morning, and 
back home in the afternoon.
  Most of the time, they accomplish their jobs uneventfully. But on 
occasion, these volunteers must make split-

[[Page S5013]]

second decisions--placing themselves in harm's way to save the lives of 
others. This year's honorees exemplify this selflessness, and richly 
deserve recognition.
  The first AAA Lifesaving Medal recipient comes from Kensington, 
Maryland.
  On October 1, 1997, Rock View Elementary School Safety Patrol Joseph 
Coggeshall was preparing to end his shift at the busy intersection of 
Connecticut Avenue and Denfeld Road.
  Getting ready to go home himself, Joseph noticed one last group of 
children heading home. He decided to stay at his post a little longer. 
As they reached the intersection, two boys, ages 6 and 7, attempted to 
go around Joseph's outstretched arms and into traffic. Reacting 
quickly, Joseph grabbed both children, pulling them back onto the curb 
just before they would have entered into rush-hour traffic on a six-
lane highway. Joseph probably saved those boys' lives.
  This year's second AAA Lifesaving Medal honoree comes from San Mateo, 
California.
  On January 5, 1998, St. Timothy School Safety Patrol Christopher 
Aquino stood his usual post at the north gate crosswalk.
  Close by, a father led his two young daughters, ages 3 and 6, toward 
the crosswalk. Spotting the family car parked across the street, the 3-
year-old broke free from her father's hand, sprinted into the road and 
into the path of an oncoming truck. On instinct, and with no regard for 
his own safety, Christopher ran after her, grabbed her by the hand and 
returned her safely to her father.
  Mr. President, on behalf of the Senate, I wish to extend 
congratulations and thanks to these two young men. They are an asset to 
their communities, and their families, and neighbors should be very 
proud of their courage and dedication.
  I would also like to recognize the American Automobile Association 
for providing the supplies and training necessary to keep the safety 
patrol on duty nationwide.
  Since the 1920's, AAA clubs across the country have been sponsoring 
student safety patrols to guide and protect younger classmates against 
traffic accidents. Easily recognizable by their fluorescent orange 
safety belt and shoulder strap, safety patrol members represent the 
very best of their schools and communities. Experts credit school 
safety patrol programs with helping to lower the number of traffic 
accidents and fatalities involving young children.
  We owe AAA our gratitude for their tireless efforts to ensure that 
our Nation's children arrive to and from school safe and sound.
  And we owe our thanks to Joseph Coggeshall and Christopher Aquino for 
their selfless actions. The discipline and courage they displayed 
deserves the praise and recognition of their schools and their 
communities.

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