[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 14 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E70-E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING CURTIS R. PATTERSON OF CHINA SPRING, TX

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 27, 2003

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, a citizen of China Spring, Texas, a Central 
Texas community in my 11th Congressional District was recently honored 
with the Carnegie Medal for risking his life to save the life of 
another.

[[Page E71]]

  On July 12, 2001, Curtis R. Patterson, a customer service technician 
with Southwestern Bell Telephone and a member of the Communications 
Workers of America, Local 6225 of Waco, was on his way home from work 
when he came upon an automobile accident. A car driven by Margaret 
Ratliff had left the road and struck a wooden utility pole. The 
collision brought down power lines at the front of her car and fire 
broke out around the car from the sparks.
  When Mr. Patterson arrived at the scene, Ms. Ratliff was trapped in 
her car. Patterson donned protective gloves and went to the passenger 
side of Ms. Ratliff's car, even as flames were spreading underneath it.
  Entering the car, he cut the seatbelt that was holding Ms. Ratliff in 
the car and pulled her across the console and passenger seat to safety. 
Within minutes, the flames engulfed Ms. Ratliff's car and completely 
consumed it.
  Ms. Ratliff was treated for third degree burns on her left arm, but 
recovered. She owes her life to Curtis Patterson.
  This last December, Patterson was 1 of 22 individuals from throughout 
the United States and Canada to be recognized by the Carnegie Hero Fund 
Commission.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating Curtis Patterson of China Spring on the 
receipt of the Carnegie Medal, and honoring him for his lifesaving act. 
He is an authentic Texas hero and we are indeed proud of him.

                          ____________________