[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MELVIN CAULEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize a 
true hero that has emerged in the New York Congressional Sixth 
District. Mr. Melvin Cauley, Jr. has served the Far Rockaway community 
for five years as a United States Postal Service Mail Carrier. He has 
walked the community's streets to deliver the letters and packages that 
are vital to the livelihood of many of my constituents. Now, Mr. Cauley 
walks the community's streets as a hero, as a citizen who went above 
and beyond his professional duties to save the life of Mrs. Margaret 
O'Brien, a 70-year-old resident of Rockaway Beach.
  On January 29th, Mrs. O'Brien experienced a traumatic fall that 
rendered her helpless on her kitchen floor. For the next several days, 
Mr. Cauley delivered Mrs. O'Brien's mail without incident. Finally on 
February 5, Mr. Cauley took notice of the accumulated mail not 
collected by Mrs. O'Brien. This concerned him because Mrs. O'Brien 
often greeted him to receive his daily delivery. Mr. Cauley took action 
by notifying the 100th Police Precinct of her absence. At his 
insistence, the Police visited Mrs. O'Brien's home. Upon entering, they 
found Mrs. O'Brien lying on the floor unconscious, but alive. She was 
taken to a local medical facility where she was stabilized and has 
recovered since then. Mrs. O'Brien, who had lain on her floor for seven 
days, was saved because of the caring and decisive action of Mr. 
Cauley.
  Beyond delivering letters and packages, the United States Postal 
Service is an important community partner in protecting the wellbeing 
of my constituents. For three decades, the Postal Service has had a 
``Carrier Alert'' program in which Postal Carriers are empowered to 
alert social service agencies and law enforcement when they suspect a 
threat to the safety of their customers. The ``Carrier Alert'' program 
is a natural extension of the care that Postal Carriers have 
traditionally shown for their customers' wellbeing. Mr. Cauley has 
demonstrated the great impact that the program can have in protecting 
the lives of community members.
  Mr. Cauley has established himself as a role model amongst his 
professional colleagues and community members, demonstrating what it is 
to be a dedicated citizen, on how to care for our neighbors, and the 
importance of rising to an occasion when circumstances necessitate it. 
I know that Mrs. O'Brien, her family, and her friends are grateful for 
his caring actions. On behalf of the Congressional Sixth District, I 
thank Mr. Melvin Cauley, Jr. for helping to save the life of Mrs. 
Margaret O'Brien.

                          ____________________