[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 145 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF BRIAN SIMPSON, WES WILLIAMS, AND JOE JANSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and thank three 
of my constituents who helped save the life of their friend Todd 
Endris, after he was attacked by a Great White shark off Marina State 
Beach in California on August 28. Though shark attacks actually are 
less common than the media would have you believe they are nonetheless 
startling and scary whenever they do happen. We are reminded only too 
graphically of the power of nature when these beasts of the ocean 
appear.
  Endris, a 24-year-old student at California State University at 
Monterey Bay, was surfing in Marina when a 15-foot Great White caught 
him on his right side and dragged him under the waves. Todd fought with 
the shark, striking it again and again on the eye with his fist. After 
what seemed like endless punches the shark released Todd who scrambled 
desperately back to the water's surface exhausted and bleeding. His 
friend Joe Jansen who had seen the attack unfold shouted to Endris to 
grab hold of and climb back on his surfboard as best he could while 
friends and fellow surfers Brian Simpson and Wes Williams helped steer 
him back to the beach. Todd lost nearly three liters of blood and was 
close to shock. Without the intervention of the other three swimmers, 
he could have slipped away and back into danger's path. As it was, he 
suffered extensive injuries to his torso and right hip and leg. He was 
flown to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose and is now 
expected to make a full recovery.
  Madam Speaker, August 28 started out like any other day for these 
young men, who were simply out for a day of surfing. No one expected to 
be called ``hero'' before the day was done. But that is exactly what I 
would call Joe Jansen, Brian Simpson and Wes Williams for their courage 
in saving their friend Todd Endris from a fatal shark attack. I thank 
them for their selfless bravery and wish Todd good luck in his 
recovery.

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