[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E438-E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MARY BETH CLARK AND NORMA STAFNE

                                 ______
                                 

                             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 two local 
heroes from western Wisconsin. I want to honor Mary Beth Clark and 
Norma Stafne 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 students 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.
  Mary Beth Clark and Norma Stafne are two of those extraordinary 
citizens. Mary Beth and Norma are nurses employed in the Operating Room 
of Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. On September 29, 1998, 
these two women had the unfortunate chance of meeting when they both 
stopped to assist a man who had been in a motorcycle accident. Both 
women spotted the motorcycle driver lying on the side of the road. He 
was bleeding and not breathing well, so they rolled him onto his back 
and administered CPR. They remained with the driver, soothing him while 
they waited for help. When the paramedics arrived Mary Beth helped load 
him into the ambulance. She found it hard to separate herself from him 
but the rescue team reassured her that they would take good care of 
him. The calming influence

[[Page E439]]

of Mary Beth and Norma was crucial in this life treating situation.
  On behalf of all the citizens of western Wisconsin I ask that the 
United States House of Representatives recognize Mary Beth Clark and 
Norma Stafne for their courage and thank them for being concerned and 
giving community citizens.

                          ____________________