[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 15 (Friday, February 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO A YOUNG HERO, WILBERT GILLASPIE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM TURNER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2002

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the heroic deeds 
of a young hero from Walker County, Texas, who displayed enormous 
courage and capability in the face of danger.
  Wilbert Gillaspie, a 4th grader at Stewart Elementary School in the 
Huntsville School District, saved himself and his elderly grandmother 
from a burning fire that might have destroyed his home had it not been 
for his quick thinking.
  On Sunday, January 13, Wilbert noticed smoke coming from an 
electrical ceiling box where his uncle was planning to put a ceiling 
fan. After seeing the smoke, Wilbert led his grandmother out of the 
building and called 911. Wilbert helped the emergency dispatcher find 
out what electric company serviced his home so the power could be shut 
off. When Wilbert noticed smoke coming from his roof, he grabbed a 
water hose and sprayed the roof from the outside.
  Because of the distance between Wilbert's home and the Huntsville 
fire station, it took firefighters nine critical minutes to get to his 
house. Wilbert was told by a firefighter on the scene that if it had 
not been for his quick thinking and know-how, the house would have 
burned to the ground.
  Wilbert learned about fire safety from members of the Huntsville Fire 
Department, who teach thousands of children and adults about fire 
safety every year. I commend the hardworking men and women of the 
Huntsville Fire Department for sacrificing their lives everyday and 
serving as community leaders to teach our children about fire safety.
  Young Wilbert Gillaspie is a true hero and we join in thanking him 
for his courage and bravery in the face of danger.

                          ____________________