[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2302-E2303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MATTHEW POLNOW

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. MANZULLO. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take this 
opportunity to recognize a heroic resident of the 16th District of 
Illinois, Matthew Polnow of Rockford. Mr. Polnow works for the U.S. 
Postal Service and is a member of the National Association of Letter 
Carriers.
   On June 11, 2008, as he was delivering mail on his postal route, 
Carrier Polnow witnessed a crushing three-vehicle accident. In a matter 
of seconds, he ran to the first car, checking to make sure that the 
occupants were not injured. Then he went on to the second vehicle, a 
truck, where fortunately no one

[[Page E2303]]

needed assistance. Carrier Polnow continued to the third vehicle, a van 
used to transport handicapped and wheelchair-bound individuals, which 
was beginning to burn. The driver's airbag had deployed, and the driver 
alerted Carrier Polnow to a handicapped passenger still inside the 
smoke-filled van.
   With smoke continuing to circulate and flames erupting from the 
engine, Carrier Polnow went to work. He managed to free the side door 
that had been jammed by a ramp. Maneuvering the ramp into place, he 
unhooked the restraining belts and dragged the wheelchair--and the now 
terrified woman passenger--from the vehicle. Once free from the smoke, 
Carrier Polnow located the controls on the chair and engaged them to 
move the woman to safety.
   Acts of bravery and fortitude such as this should not go unnoticed. 
Carrier Polnow's heroism has led him to be recognized by the National 
Association of Letter Carriers with the National Central Hero Award. I 
am privileged and humbled to represent great constituents like Carrier 
Polnow, and I wanted to take this brief opportunity today, Madam 
Speaker, to let my colleagues know of his great act of courage.

                          ____________________