[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF GREGORY PLAGEMAN, JR., OF DAVIE, FLORIDA

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                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2000

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Gregory 
Plageman, Jr., of Davie, Florida. Gregory was recently honored by the 
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission after risking his own life to save the 
life of Pearl Steinberg. Indeed, Gregory committed a tremendous act of 
heroism of which he should be extremely proud.
  The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards a bronze medal to 
individuals throughout the United States and Canada who risk their 
lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the 
lives of others. Since the program's inception in 1904 by 
philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the Commission has recognized acts of 
outstanding civilian heroism, providing financial assistance to the 
awardees and the dependents of those awardees who are killed or 
disabled by their heroic actions. Gregory's story of bravery truly 
exemplifies the tenets espoused by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
  On June 24, 1999, 85-year-old Pearl Steinberg remained in her car 
after it had knocked over a gasoline pump at a local service station. 
Immediately engulfing the car, flames entered the rear of her car 
through a broken-out window. Upon witnessing this, Gregory forced open 
the car door, partially entered the automobile, and released Pearl's 
safety belt, pulling her out of the car and leading her to safety. The 
flames grew to 18 feet above the gas pumps within minutes, completely 
devouring the vehicle. Without Gregory's selfless act of bravery, Pearl 
Steinberg would likely have sustained fatal injuries.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Gregory Plageman, Jr., for 
his heroic efforts in risking his own life to save another's. This was 
a truly selfless act of courage--an act that Gregory and the entire 
southern Florida community can be proud of.

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