[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E61]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING WESLEY AUTREY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to and to 
honor the recent heroics of Wesley Autrey, the selfless New Yorker who 
this past week jumped in front of a subway train to save a stranger 
that had fallen below.
  As we begin the difficult task of putting America back on track, we 
can all draw inspiration from this 50-year-old Harlem father, The 
construction worker was with his two daughters waiting for the train 
when he noticed that film student Cameron Hollopeter had suffered a 
seizure. The Navy veteran and two other strangers immediately rushed to 
the 20-year-old's aid. Autrey helped stabilized him, sticking a pen in 
his mouth to prevent him from swallowing his tongue.
  Yet, just when it appeared that he was fine, Hollopeter had a relapse 
and stumbled off the subway platform. With a No. 1 train fast 
approaching, Autrey made a split second decision to put this young 
man's life ahead of his own. He jumped down and pinned Hollopeter 
between the rails, shielding him from harm's way.
  In the days since that split second decision, Autrey has been 
deservingly lavished with tons of media attention and honors. Not 
surprisingly, the humble Autrey has been caught off guard. He wasn't 
thinking of the fame or glory. All he could think about, he says, was 
his girls--six-year-old Shuqui and four-year-old Syshe. He didn't want 
them to see a man die before their eyes. He didn't want them to witness 
their father do nothing to stop the blood and the screams that could 
follow.
  He asked himself, how will I be judged? Will it be said that I had 
the opportunity to help and just sat there to do nothing. His 
conscience wouldn't let him be still--and neither should any of us.
  We live in a time of great imbalance. In the midst of great 
prosperity, far too many are struggling to just keep their head above 
water. Far too many are disconnected from opportunity and hope.
  We must follow the example set by Mr. Autrey and not sit on the 
sidelines while injustice and tragedy unfolds before our eyes. We must 
ask ourselves: did we do all that we could to help our fellow brothers 
and sisters? What did we do to help better the world?
  Wesley Autrey has done his duty. Now it's time to do ours.

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