[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E437-E438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ANGELA M. BARTHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 1999

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a local hero 
from western Wisconsin. I want to honor Angela M. Barthen who took 
courageous action to aid another citizen.
  For the past three years the Eau Claire Fire Fighters Local Union 
487, in conjunction with the Eau Claire Fire Department, have 
recognized area residents who acted bravely in emergency situations. 
The recipients of the Citizen Community Involvement Awards are citizens 
who put the safety and well being of their neighbors ahead of other 
concerns in a time of need.
  Angela M. Barthen is one of those extraordinary citizens. It was 
about 6:50 a.m. on November 17, when Angela Barthen awoke to a man 
outside her window yelling for help. She looked outside and across the 
street she saw that the first floor of her neighbor Terry Olevson's 
house was on fire. Terry and his two sons, Ryan 11 and Tyler 9 were 
trapped on the second floor of the burning house. Angela quickly 
grabbed her cellular phone to call for help and then proceeded 
downstairs to her garage where she had an extension ladder. She grabbed 
the ladder and went across the street and extended it to reach the 
second floor. Terry Olevson helped his sons out of the window and on to 
the ladder to safety. Terry followed his sons down the ladder. Angela 
without hesitation was able to respond quickly to her neighbors' needs 
and as a result was able to assist in saving their lives.

[[Page E438]]

  On behalf of all the citizens of western Wisconsin I ask that the 
United States House of Representatives recognize Angela M. Barthen for 
her courage and thank her for being a concerned and giving community 
citizen.

                          ____________________