[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 26 (Monday, February 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SGT. CARLOS MADDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 12, 2007

  Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Sgt. Carlos 
Madden, a heroic citizen-soldier. On Saturday, February 10, 2007, Sgt. 
Madden was awarded the Soldier's Medal, the highest decoration given by 
the United States for ``heroism not involving actual conflict with an 
enemy.''
  On December 22, 2005, a neighbor of Sgt. Madden, Mary Elizabeth 
Hooker, a professor at UMass Lowell, was attacked by a knife-wielding 
assailant. Sgt. Madden's 13-year-old sister, Mary, heard her screams 
and called her brother who rushed, unarmed, to Ms. Hooker's aid. He 
confronted her attacker and, directing another neighbor to call 911, 
pursued the man, caught him, and held him until the police arrived. His 
swift action very likely saved Ms. Hooker's life: his presence brought 
an end to the stabbing and secured prompt medical attention.
  Sgt. Madden is a graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School 
and a junior majoring in American history at Framingham State College. 
He joined the Army Reserve in February 2002, and serves with the 401st 
Chemical Company, commanded by Capt. Jeffrey A. Fidler. Seventy members 
of his unit, his family, and Ms. Hooker were present to see Col. 
Stephen Falcone present the award.
  We all hope that we would act in a crisis as Sgt Madden did. Most of 
us are never tested and we do not know if we would put ourselves in 
harm's way, without hesitation, to save the life of another person. 
Carlos Madden inspires us with his bravery and with his reflections on 
the event. ``I know I would do it again, for any of you,'' he said, 
``and I know all of you would do the same for me.'' Madam Speaker, I 
want to thank Sgt. Madden for his courage and for his faith in his 
fellow citizens.

                          ____________________