[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E772-E773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      COMMENDING MR. RONNIE RAPER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ZACH WAMP

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 11, 2003

  Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the bravery of Rhea 
County Commission Chairman Ronnie Raper. Earlier this week, Chairman 
Raper risked his own life to save Melinda Andrews, 13, from the raging 
waters of the Richland Creek in Rhea County, Tennessee.
  On Monday, April 7th Ronnie Raper, a building inspector, happened to 
be in his car and heard a 911 call over his radio indicating

[[Page E773]]

that a 13-year-old girl had fallen into the dangerous Richmond Creek 
and needed immediate assistance. Mr. Raper ran 200 yards to the creek 
and instinctively jumped into the freezing water to help the young 
girl. Risking his own safety, he quickly secured her to a large 
concrete structure in the middle of the creek until firefighters were 
able to throw them a rope. Mr. Raper calmed the young girl and led her 
to the shore.
  The doctor who treated Ms. Andrews said the freezing temperatures of 
the creek water could have been detrimental to the 13-year-old girl if 
she hadn't been pulled to safety so quickly.
  This story did not have a terrible ending because a man like Ronnie 
Raper was there and was willing to put the safety of another person 
above his own. He is not only an excellent public servant through his 
work as the Chairman of the Rhea County Commission; Mr. Raper is good 
neighbor and a heroic man.
  I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in 
commending Mr. Ronnie Raper for this brave act.

                          ____________________