[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MICHAEL STEWART

                                 ______
                                 

                             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 Michael Stewart 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.
  Michael Stewart is one of those extraordinary citizens. On June 21, 
1997 at approximately 6:30 a.m. Michael was driving down the 200 block 
of Platt street in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Directly in front of Michael 
a 20 foot long, 15 foot wide sink hole appeared and trapped the car of 
another driver. The driver was able to climb out of the car and stand 
on top of it in an attempt to escape, while water was quickly filling 
up the sink hole. Stewart was driving behind the driver and rushed to 
his assistance. He risked his own life by hanging over the blacktop 
ledge, with no support, and reached down to lift the driver out of the 
hole. The stranded driver stated that the rescuers must have been God's 
Angels in saving his life.
  On behalf of all the citizens of western Wisconsin I ask that the 
United States House of Representatives recognize Michael Stewart for 
his courage and thank him for being a concerned and giving community 
citizen.

                          ____________________