[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 145 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1981-E1982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO LUKUS CLINTON DUNKIN

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2002

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my sincere commendation 
to Mr. Lukus Clinton Dunkin, a native of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and a 
sophomore at the University of North Alabama, for his heroic actions on 
October 26, 2001 that saved the life of Mr. Robert Justice of Opelika, 
Alabama. Luke Dunkin would never admit his heroism, but the people of 
North Alabama and the United States Coast Guard know that he was a hero 
on that day.
  Luke was fishing in a protected harbor on the Tennessee River during 
rough weather when he heard the cries of a fisherman, Robert Justice, 
whose boat had capsized across the lake. Braving the 25 miles per hour 
winds, 55 degree weather, and three to six foot waves, Luke navigated 
his fishing boat to reach the distressed fisherman in less than 20 
minutes. Risking his own life, he fought to pull Mr. Justice into his 
own boat and managed to get back to ``Safety Harbor'' where he rendered 
first aid until the Florence-Lauderdale EMAs arrived and took Mr. 
Justice to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States Coast Guard has honored Luke Dunkin 
for his heroism. He is being awarded a Silver Lifesaving Medal from the 
Admiral Thomas H. Colins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. This is 
the second highest award a civilian can receive for heroic deeds from 
the Coast Guard, and only 2,080 of these awards have been bestowed upon 
Americans in history.

[[Page E1982]]

  Mr. Speaker, Luke Dunkin deservingly joins a prestigious group of 
heroes with this award from the Coast Guard. On behalf of the people of 
North Alabama and the United States House of Representatives, I commend 
Mr. Dunkin for risking his own life to rescue Robert Justice on October 
26, 2001.

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