[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO JAMES BLAKE OF TIFFIN, OH, A TRUE AMERICAN HERO

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                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2002

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize a true hero. Since September 11, the definition of a hero has 
changed dramatically. People who selflessly put their lives on the line 
for others have always been recognized as heroes, but their deeds are 
even more appreciated today.
  One of my constituents fits this description, James Blake from 
Tiffin, Ohio. Three days after the Christmas 2001 holiday, Mr. Blake, a 
truck driver for Fry Foods, and his son, Zach, were traveling on 
Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania, returning home after a trip to New York 
City. Over his CB radio, he heard of an accident ahead of him caused by 
a snow squall. When he and his son came across the accident scene, they 
saw that it involved a tanker truck that was loaded with powdered iron, 
an extremely flammable substance. Debbie Weeda and her three children 
were wedged in their car under the tanker. Her car on fire, her 
youngest trapped, she screamed for help. Mr. Blake reacted without 
regard for his own safety, running to the burning car to save Dominick, 
age 1, who was trapped in his car seat. On his first try, he was unable 
to extract the child. Wielding his pocketknife, he returned a second 
time and cut the restraints that trapped the infant. Having extricated 
Dominick from the burning car, the children, their mother and the 
Blakes fled the scene just before the tanker exploded.
  Mr. Speaker, James Blake is a true hero. Today, at a time when the 
forces of evil have threatened our way of life, Mr. Blake exhibited the 
American spirit. I thank Mr. Blake, his son, and the countless fire and 
rescue personnel who put their lives on the line for others. Mr. Blake, 
you are a truly selfless American.

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