[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDATION FOR 11-YEAR OLD LIFESAVER, VINCENT MICHAEL CRUZ SABLAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, as islanders, the people of my home 
district of Guam are particularly sensitive to water-related accidents, 
whether in the ocean, in a swimming pool or in a bathtub. All too 
often, we are saddened by the news of drowning tragedies, especially 
those which claim the lives of children. A physical education class at 
the Andersen Air Force Base swimming pool last December would have 
ended in another such tragedy, if not for the quick action of 11-year 
old Vincent Michael Cruz Sablan, a sixth-grade student at DODEA's 
Andersen Middle School.
  On December 19, 2001, as his classmates frolicked in and around the 
water, Vincent and his friends noticed that another boy was lying 
motionless on the bottom in the deep end of the pool. At first they 
thought the boy was fooling around, testing his ability to hold his 
breath underwater, but they soon realized that the boy was in trouble. 
A self-taught swimmer with no formal lifesaving training, Vincent was 
the only one in the group able to dive deep enough to reach the boy at 
the bottom of the pool. On his first attempt, Vincent could only get 
close enough to see that the boy was not just holding his breath. He 
then re-surfaced, drew a big breath and dove again. He reached the 
submerged boy's body and grabbed a hold of him. The drowned boy was 
taller and heavier, but Vincent managed to bring him to the surface.
  By then, the commotion had drawn adult attention and base emergency 
responders were summoned immediately. The boy was not breathing and had 
to be resuscitated. He was transported to the Naval Regional Medical 
Center, where he spent two days in the Intensive Care Unit. According 
to medics, the boy was only seconds away from death, but Vincent's 
effort made the difference. After five days in the hospital, the boy 
was released and is now well and fully recovered.
  Vincent went home from school that day and made no mention of the 
incident to his parents, Guam National Guardsman, CWO Vincent A. and 
Agnes Cruz Sablan, of Dededo. He resumed his sixth-graders life, 
watching television, playing with his friends, being reminded to do his 
chores and struggling with his homework. It wasn't until base security 
called and reported to CWO Sablan that his son was a genuine hero.
  Mr. Speaker, as parents, we strive to teach our children right from 
wrong, to instill in them the virtues and values we hold dear. We try 
to prepare them for life as responsible adults and we hope that they 
make right decisions and do good things. Just as we are dismayed when 
they stumble, we must praise when they shine. Last December, Vincent 
witnessed something wrong. He realized that someone's life was at stake 
and that he had to do something to help. He did not panic or turn away 
from a threatening situation. Instead, he did what he knew was right, 
and what he did was extraordinary. He saved a life. Afterward, he did 
not brag about his deed. He sought no accolades or rewards. Even so, 
this young man deserves our gratitude and our praise, for proving that, 
when taught, children will be responsible even from an early age. I 
take great pride and pleasure in commending Vincent Michael Cruz 
Sablan. He truly is a lifesaver and merits recognition as such.
  The youngest of four children, the ``baby'' of his family, Vincent 
has already proven himself to be a valuable member of the Guam 
community. I join his parents and his siblings, Michael, Angela and 
Steven, in saying, ``Well Done, Vincent!''

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