[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO GARY ARRUDA

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President I rise today to pay 
tribute to Gary Arruda of Hollis, NH for the critical assistance he 
provided with the aid of a wireless phone to save another individual's 
life. Gary, along with individuals from each state across America, the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, received the ``VITA Wireless 
Samaritan Award.''
  This award, which is awarded by the Cellular Telecommunications 
Industry Association (CTIA) is presented to honor the contributions 
heroic individuals make to their communities. Gary, who is an emergency 
medical technician (EMT), responded to a page to assist an injured 
mountain biker, who was too deep in the woods for an ambulance to 
reach. The biker, who had been stung by bees and was having a severe 
allergic reaction, was unable to make it out of the woods on her own, 
Gary went in the woods with his four-wheel drive vehicle, emergency 
medical equipment and his wireless phone. He and two other EMTs were 
able to stabilize the biker while maintaining contact with emergency 
dispatch and the ambulance that was waiting at the edge of the woods. 
Gary kept both dispatchers and ambulance attendants apprised of the 
victim's condition, enabling them to prepare to take over the rescue as 
soon as he got the woman out of the woods.
  I commend Gary for his excellent reaction in a situation that called 
for immediate attention. He is a true hero. I am proud to represent him 
in the Senate.

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