[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL McKEAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic 
sacrifice of a young man from my district, who risked and then lost his 
own life while saving, a friend.
  Michael McKeand was an avid outdoorsman and vineyard manager in Santa 
Cruz. On July 7, he was returning from a music festival with friends 
when they stopped along Highway 70 near the Feather River in Plumas 
County.
  Although the river appeared peaceful, there apparently was a strong 
undercurrent that swept one of McKeand's friends downstream. The 24-
year-old man jumped in the water to help and eventually rescued the 
struggling friend. But in the process, the strong current slammed 
McKeand against a rock and he drowned.
  No one who knew Michael McKeand was surprised to hear of his selfless 
deed. They were, however, shocked and saddened that the swollen waters 
of Feather River took his life.
  His parents, David and Linda McKeand of Clovis, brother Steven and 
sister Candace, all mourn his loss, as do many other family and 
friends.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in extending sympathies to 
McKeand's family, and in honoring their loved one.

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