[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO JAY LINDAHL AND MARTHA SPARKS

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize volunteer 
firefighter Jay Lindahl of Ogden, Iowa and Martha Sparks of Boone, Iowa 
for their swift and heroic actions that saved a fellow Iowan's life.
   While eating lunch at a restaurant in Ames, Iowa, a fellow patron 
began choking on her food. Martha quickly approached the distressed 
patron and administered the Heimlich maneuver. When it appeared as if 
the Heimlich wasn't working, Jay came over to the scene. He noticed the 
patron's color leaving her face and lack of pulse. Jay then began 
administering oxygen while Martha administered chest compressions. 
Within moments, the woman was breathing on her own and regained 
consciousness.
   Without Martha and Jay's alertness and quick actions, this woman 
would possibly not be with us today. It is heroic acts like this that 
make this nation and its people second to none.
   Martha and Jay's unselfish actions go above and beyond what we are 
asked of in our everyday lives, and I commend Jay Lindahl and Martha 
Sparks for their noble deed. I am honored to represent them both in the 
United States Congress, and I know my colleagues join me in recognizing 
their heroic actions and wishing them health and happiness in the 
future.

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