[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE HEROES OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MARYVILLE, IL

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the actions of 
3 men who unselfishly risked their lives in the defense of others.
  At the early service on Sunday morning, March 8, 2009, an armed 
gunman entered the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois. He 
confronted, shot, and killed Pastor Fred Winters as he was conducting 
the service. Three church members, Keith Melton, Terry Bullard, and 
Patrick Presson, rushed to the aid of Pastor Winters and to subdue the 
gunman. In the ensuing confrontation Mr. Melton was the first person to 
reach the gunman. He was immediately stabbed and forced to withdraw.
  Undaunted, Mr. Bullard and Mr. Presson, at great personal risk, 
engaged the gunman and managed to physically subdue him. In the 
struggle Mr. Bullard was critically wounded. Once the gunman was under 
control Patrick's attention instantly turned to assisting his friend 
Terry. With the assistance of another churchgoer, Jason Shutty, Mr. 
Presson carried Mr. Bullard to the entrance of the church, secured 
transportation, and took Mr. Bullard to the emergency room of Anderson 
Hospital a short distance away.
  The immediate, decisive, and courageous actions of these three men 
undoubtedly saved other lives on that Sunday morning. Mr. Presson's 
continued actions are credited with saving Mr. Bullard's life. These 
men are the embodiment of courage and heroism. They are deserving of 
recognition by and in the United States House of Representatives, in 
order that a permanent record of their individual and collective 
character can be preserved.
  In a time when the term is often overused, these men are true 
American heroes, who, when faced with danger, unselfishly launched 
themselves into harm's way. Their actions were taken without 
consideration or regard for their personal well-being and 
unquestionably prevented a horrible situation from becoming worse. 
These individuals should be held up as examples of ordinary citizens 
whose behavior and exemplary character shined through in a most 
dangerous situation.

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