[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL T. WILTSIE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 1999

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michael T. 
Wiltsie, a young man from the 4th Congressional District whose bravery 
I commend and whose actions I would like to call to the attention of my 
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  On Sept. 2, 1998, Michael was serving as a safety patrol officer near 
Ganiard Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, Mich. He and an adult 
crossing guard were stationed at the corner of Broadway and Adams 
streets, a busy intersection.
  What happened next could have been a tragedy, but instead is the 
story of an heroic 12-year old whose quick thinking effectively saved 
the life of a 7-year-old boy.
  The adult crossing guard had just walked to the center of the street 
to stop traffic when the 7-year old walked around Michael's 
outstretched arms to follow the crossing guard. At that moment, a truck 
making a left-hand turn failed to stop at the stop sign and passed 
between Michael and the crossing guard. Michael reached out and grabbed 
the little boy by his backpack, pulling him to safety just as the truck 
sped by.
  Michael is one of the six young students being honored today at the 
AAA's School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award Ceremony in Washington, 
D.C. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Lifesaving Award, 
which recognizes those patrols who risked their own lives to save the 
lives of others. More than one-half million children serve as patrols 
at 50,000 schools.
  It is a special privilege for me to represent Michael in the U.S. 
House of Representatives. Our halls here are filled with the statues 
and memories of American men and women who have unselfishly given to 
others. I am pleased today to submit this tribute to the Congressional 
Record, to ensure that Michael's bravery is also recorded for history.

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