[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING AIR FORCE MAJOR JAMES G. CUSIC, III

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Air Force Major James G. Cusic, III, a constituent of 
mine from Fairview Heights, Illinois.
  Major Cusic is receiving a Certificate of Merit from the American Red 
Cross for his actions on September 11, 2001. This is the highest award 
the organization gives for someone who saves or sustains a life with 
skills that were learned in an American Red Cross safety course.
  The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 
11, 2001 made this perhaps the most tragic day in our nation's history. 
However, the day could have been even more catastrophic if it were not 
for the efforts of men and women such as Major Cusic.
  On the morning of September 11, Major Cusic saw the news of the 
attacks on the World Trade Center from his Pentagon office. As he 
watched, he began to feel the floor shake below him, and the television 
reported that a third plane had been used as a weapon. This time, the 
target was the Pentagon. A voice came on the Pentagon intercom with a 
message to evacuate the building.
  As the news came that a second hijacked plane might be headed toward 
Washington, Major Cusic cleared all the rooms in his area of the 
building to make sure everyone had exited. Next, he assisted five of 
the approximately 65 patients that were being treated at the Air Force 
Pararescue triage site.
  Major Cusic volunteered to reenter the building as one of five 
leaders of a 20-person team to provide medical treatment for survivors 
in the building. He was responsible for providing treatment for life 
threatening injuries. Major Cusic aided one man who had a severe scalp 
laceration and a spinal injury. He assisted another man who suffered 
from severe burns on his face and neck and was experiencing difficulty 
breathing.
  Later in the evening, Major Cusic's heroic actions were needed once 
again. A firefighter that had entered the building as part of the 
rescue effort collapsed from heat exhaustion and an erratic pulse. Once 
again, Major Cusic provided the treatment necessary under extreme 
circumstances.
  Major Cusic maintained clarity of mind throughout the day on 
September 11 and should be commended for his actions in the face of 
adversity. At the end of the day, he was directly involved in saving 
three lives and in caring for two more people with severe injuries. In 
addition, he provided invaluable encouragement to other survivors and 
those involved with the rescue effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Major Cusic 
and to wish him all the best in the future for him and his family.

                          ____________________