[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   HONORING CHARITY TOWNSEND CALDWELL

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 8, 2009

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic acts of 
Charity Townsend Caldwell.
  On May 2, 2009, Charity Townsend Caldwell, a great citizen of 
Memphis, TN gave someone a chance; but this chance wasn't a government 
program or a random act of kindness, it was the greatest gift of all . 
. . life. Charity Townsend Caldwell was arriving at her own graduation 
from nursing school, when her college dean had a heart attack, and was 
immediately surrounded by a crowd of people. Caldwell, following her 
instincts, ran through the crowd of people and immediately got down on 
her knees to assist her former administrator. Within seconds Caldwell 
had saved a man's life that would undoubtedly had been lost if she had 
not acted as quickly as she did.
  What Charity Caldwell's actions prove is that when people are given 
great tools, they can do great things, despite their hardships. 
Caldwell was given a superb education from the Nursing School of 
Southwest Community College located in Memphis, TN, and the knowledge 
she gained from this institution prepared her to act in any situation, 
even at her own graduation. While Caldwell worked against the odds to 
save a man's life, it was nothing new for her, because she is very 
familiar with overcoming challenges. She was a single mother, held a 
fulltime job, and was doing this while attending nursing school. 
Because of Charity's tenacity and faith, she found herself saving a 
life at her own graduation. The story of Charity Caldwell proves, that 
when people are given a chance to excel, they do and in extraordinary 
ways. Again, I would just like to congratulate and thank Charity 
Townsend Caldwell for showing us that hard work and perseverance not 
only affect an individual's life, it can literally save another.

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