[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 117 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO BRETT BOOT, BROCK GARDNER AND DANEN CLARKE

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                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to inform the 
House that three of my constituents in Georgia's 3rd Congressional 
District have won the Honor Medal With Crossed Palms, a distinction 
given the Boy Scouts of America to herald heroism carried out at 
extreme personal risk.
  These courageous young men put their lives on the line to save a 
friend, and one of them died in the rescue attempt.
  In July of 2005, during the onslaught of Hurricane Cindy, three Eagle 
Scouts, Brett Boot, Brock Gardner and Danen Clarke, were at a park in 
Peachtree City, Ga., with a small group of family and friends. After 
they helped a man dislodge his golf cart from rising waters, Danen' s 
cousin ventured into what appeared to be still waters near a flooded 
road and was immediately sucked under by an unseen rip current.
  Thinking that the cousin was pinned by a possible grate, the three 
Scouts waded in the dangerous waters to feel around for him with their 
feet. The cousin had actually been sucked through a 40-foot-long 
culvert located 5 feet below the road, which wasn't visible under the 
high water. The cousin was swept under the road, reappearing on the 
other side with severe cuts on his feet, but alive.
  Danen was then caught under the ferocious current, followed by Brock, 
whose one leg caught on the entrance of the 4-foot-wide culvert. Brett 
was behind Brock in the water and was able to secure him with his arms 
against the pull of the current.
  Danen's body was found the next morning in the stream that feeds into 
Lake Peachtree, caught in branches that prevented him from being swept 
into the lake. It is believed that Danen hit his head on a large piece 
of the culvert, knocking him out and causing him to drown.
  The awarding of the Honor Medal With Crossed Palms is as prestigious 
within the scouting community as it is rare. The honor has been awarded 
nationally only 199 times since it was created in 1922. The Boy Scouts 
of America have given out only four such medals this year, and I will 
have the great honor of presenting these awards at a ceremony later 
this month to Brock and to the siblings of Danen and Brett, the latter 
of whom is serving his church as a missionary in South America. The 
medals read: ``The Honor Medal With Crossed Palms presented by the Boy 
Scouts of America upon the Recommendation of the National Court of 
Honor to Bretton Boot, Danen Clarke and Brock Gardner for unusual 
heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or 
attempting to save life at extreme risk to self.''
  The courage and selflessness of these young men testifies to their 
character and to the unwavering values they learned from loving 
families, their church and, yes, from the Boy Scouts of America. 
Georgia's 3rd Congressional District proudly claims them as its own. I 
can think of no more deserving recipients for this award. The July 28th 
ceremony presents an opportunity to celebrate heroism and to remember 
and mourn Danen Clarke's sacrifice on that fateful day.
  Danan, Brett and Brock set an example for us all. They will serve as 
an inspiration for present and future generations of Boy Scouts in 
Troop 208 and throughout the Flint River Council.

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