[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO CASEY SWANSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I pay 
today to senior Colorado State Parks ranger Casey Swanson, whose 
courageous act of capturing two dangerous fugitives went above and 
beyond the call of duty, and displayed a measure of heroism worthy of 
being brought before this body of Congress. During his tenure as a 
Colorado State Parks ranger, Casey has embodied the ideals of 
integrity, honesty and courage that we, as Americans, have come to 
expect from the men and women who serve in our state parks. I, along 
with the citizens of Colorado, am both grateful and proud of Casey's 
extraordinary act of valor, and believe it appropriate to pay tribute 
to him for his courage and bravery.
  Though not typically in the job description, Casey's extraordinary 
efforts to apprehend two armed killers near Salida, Colorado on 
September 29, 2001 are a testament to his relentless dedication to his 
job, to his community and to his state. After checking on a colleague 
who was manning a roadblock, Casey became involved in the search for 
the two killers. Being familiar with the area, he led a search team 
into the Castle Gardens area and later stood watch in the dark above a 
creek that ran though the area. After waiting for some time, Casey 
spotted the fugitives and ultimately coaxed them out of their hiding 
place, enabling other officers to join him in peacefully detaining the 
killers. Because of his incredible bravery, these criminals are now in 
the hands of law enforcement officials, and of no threat to anyone else 
in the area. His courage in the face of both fear and adversity is 
truly remarkable, and for his efforts, Casey was named the outstanding 
ranger of the year by the Colorado State Parks.
  Mr. Ranger, I am honored today to rise and pay tribute to a man whose 
actions are the very essence of all that makes this country great, and 
I am deeply honored to be able to bring them to the attention to this 
body of Congress. It is in times of great need that true heroes emerge, 
and I am proud to say Casey Swanson is a hero not only to me, but to 
his family, his friends and to this country. It is with a great deal of 
pride that I stand to honor him today, and wish him all the best in his 
future endeavors.

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