[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1743]]



            HEROIC ACTS BY SAILORS OF THE USS JOHN S. McCAIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 26, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, during the USS John S. McCain recent 
visit to the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands (CNMI), a sailor and his friends saved the lives of two 
women at the Grotto, a popular swimming and diving spot on the island.
  A sunken pool located on Saipan's northern coast, the grotto is 
connected to the sea by an underwater passage. The strong current 
regularly flows turbulently up and around the rocks making it very 
dangerous when the tide comes in. As Firecontrolman Petty Officer 3rd 
Class Luke lshizaki, and his friends Derek Hendricks and Petty Officer 
lst Class Robert Baumgarten were swimming, they noticed tourists Hsieh 
Yi Fan and Shih Pei Chi swept off their feet by huge waves.
  lshizaki jumped in the water grabbing onto a safety rope attached to 
a large rock. Hendricks and Baumgarten also attempted to help but were 
unable due to the strong current. Locking his legs around the safety 
line, Ishizaki was able to grab one woman by the wrist and hold onto 
the other with his arms preventing them from being swept away by the 
current. Before settling down, the waves bashed lshizaki and the 
tourists against the rocks several times. Had he failed to hold onto 
the rope, all three would have lost their lives.
  lshizaki and the women suffered cuts and bruises but were not 
seriously hurt. Upon being brought to safety, Baumgarten and Hendricks 
constantly attended to the women to prevent them from going into shock. 
Upon determining that they were well enough to leave, another sailor, 
Sonar Technician Petty Officer 3rd Class Jay Arnold drove the women to 
their hotel. The men were later to be informed that a diver was killed 
on this spot earlier that day.
  Luke Ishizaki is from Guam and grew up in my neighborhood of Yona. He 
believes that the training he received from the United States Navy 
contributed to his quick and calculated response to this life-
threatening situation. He also credits his experience as a swimmer in 
the reefs of Guam as well as his training and involvement in Martial 
Arts as key factors that led him to perform this selfless and heroic 
act.
  Mr. Speaker, I take great pride and pleasure in commending the acts 
of Luke Ishizaki and his friends. These men are the embodiment of what 
is excellent and admirable in our society. They are worthy role models 
for this and future generations. Si Yu'os Ma'ase pot todu i bidan-miyu!

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