[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING DAMION DeROBBIO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2005

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Damion 
DeRobbio, whose heroics in the face of a neighbor's house fire saved 
the life of a 6-year-old girl.
  On April 22 of last year, Mr. DeRobbio rushed to the aid of a frantic 
mother, whose daughter, Mackenzie, was trapped in her bed, blinded and 
suffocated by smoke. After several attempts to get into the burning 
house failed, Mr. DeRobbio persevered, smashing the little girl's 
bedroom window and squeezing through the tiny opening. Mr. DeRobbio 
crawled over the shards of broken glass, sustaining cuts on his knees 
and shoulders, and seized Mackenzie from her bed. He then passed her 
through the window to a waiting police officer before climbing out 
himself.
  For his actions, Mr. DeRobbio was awarded the Carnegie Medal by the 
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, and deservedly so. However, recognition 
was certainly not what motivated this hero on that night more than a 
year ago. Were it not for Mr. DeRobbio's selfless bravery, this 
inspiring story could have easily been one of tragedy and loss.
  So today, on behalf of all of his neighbors in Ohio's 17th District, 
I honor Mr. DeRobbio for his valor.

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