[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE OF DA'JOUR 
                   McMILLIAN OF FRISCO CITY, ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, the family of Da'Jour McMillian and the 
residents of the small town of Frisco City, Alabama, have reason to be 
exceedingly grateful this holiday season. Through the combined efforts 
of emergency rescue personnel, physicians, and industrial workers from 
Monroe and Mobile Counties, 22-month-old Da'Jour was saved from a 
situation that is certainly one of the greatest nightmares that could 
be experienced by any parent.
  On Monday, November 1, 2004, Da'Jour was playing with his brother and 
sister off Central Street in Frisco City when he fell into an abandoned 
well measuring 14 feet deep. Almost immediately, the community went to 
work trying to recover him, an operation that took 13 hours and 
required the assistance of dozens of personnel. Because of the location 
of the well in relation to hidden power lines and potential unmarked 
water lines, the recovery operation was extremely dangerous and 
required a great deal of careful work and planning.
  Through the entire ordeal, Da'Jour demonstrated a calm not usually 
found in a child of such a young age. In fact, he reassured the rescue 
workers with waves and smiles and by often telling those at the mouth 
of the well, ``I love you.'' Of the many reasons this story had a happy 
ending, none was more important than the positive attitude and playful 
nature of this little boy.
  Mr. Speaker, in the difficult circumstances facing our world today, 
both here at home and abroad, it is important that Americans should be 
able to depend on their friends and neighbors in their hour of need. As 
the rescue of little Da'Jour McMillian clearly demonstrates, there is 
no obstacle that cannot be overcome without a strong sense of community 
and cooperation. I ask my colleagues to join with me in saluting not 
only Da'Jour and his family for their courage, but for the following 
individuals and organizations who played such an important role in his 
rescue: Chuck Murph, Rita Smith, Rennie Raines, and J. T. Johnson with 
the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency; Pastor Freddie Lindsey 
of the Monroeville Church of the Nazarene; Tom Lindsey of Simmons 
Ambulance Service; Frisco City Mayor Jim Cave; the Frisco City 
Volunteer Fire Department; Chief James Maples and the Frisco City 
Police Department; Dr. David Stallworth of Monroe County Hospital; 
Allen Nall of Roto-Rooter; Sam Covert of Alabama Power Company; William 
Snyder of Monroeville Water Works; Chief Eddie Everette and the 
Monroeville Fire Department; David Coggins with the Alabama Emergency 
Management Agency; Chief Mike Dean and the personnel of both the City 
of Mobile Fire Department and USAR Task Force 1; and Ronnie Wright, Bo 
Bosarge, and Michael Gates with Smith Industrial Services of Mobile.
  Because of their efforts, this little boy and his family will indeed 
have a very bright holiday season.

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