[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING IRVIN BRAD McDOUGAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay public 
tribute to a remarkable individual from my congressional district. Brad 
McDougal, supervisory park ranger at Mammoth Cave National Park, was 
recently awarded a Citation for Valor from the U.S. Department of 
Interior recognizing his actions to disarm a man threatening suicide.
  On April 19, 2004, park rangers at Mammoth Cave National Park 
received a report that a suicidal individual was in the park preparing 
to take his own life. Supervisory Park Ranger Brad McDougal responded 
solo from his residence and quickly located the subject, parked in his 
vehicle with a loaded gun in his lap. While other rangers were minutes 
away, Ranger McDougal decided to take immediate action, approaching the 
man with a calm and reassuring voice, gaining his confidence and 
disarming him without violence.
  When fellow officers arrived, Ranger McDougal had stabilized the 
scene, saving the individual's life, and perhaps others, by his quick, 
calm and decisive action. Handling this volatile situation in any other 
manner could have easily resulted in tragedy.
  I would like to publicly thank Brad McDougal for his professionalism 
and the strong example he sets for others in performing his job far 
beyond the call of duty. His actions, on duty and off, demonstrate a 
genuine concern and personal involvement in protecting safety and 
improving quality of life in his community.
  It is my great honor to recognize Brad McDougal today, before the 
entire U.S. House of Representatives, for his leadership and service. 
His unique achievements and dedication to public safety make him an 
outstanding American worthy of our collective honor and appreciation.

                          ____________________