[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MICHAEL OAKLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and 
recognize the bravery of Mr. Michael Oakley of Savannah, Tennessee. On 
the night of April 13, 2005, Mr. Oakley showed the highest form of 
human compassion when he risked his own life to save an unknown 
motorist trapped in a vehicle that was engulfed in flames following a 
traffic accident. Despite the extreme heat of the fire and suffering 
from severe burns, Mr. Oakley returned to the wrecked sport utility 
vehicle multiple times, determined to save another man's life. 
Thankfully, Mr. Oakley was successful.
  In honor of this astounding act of selflessness, Mr. Michael Oakley 
was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Extraordinary Civilian Heroism. This 
award is given by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and Mr. Oakley was 
one of only 19 to receive this recognition. He was chosen for this 
award due to his outstanding courage which should stand as an 
inspiration to all men and women across Tennessee and our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in both thanking and 
congratulating Mr. Michael Oakley for his heroism; he is indeed, a 
worthy recipient of this outstanding honor. And may God bless all of 
the Michael Oakleys of America.

                          ____________________