[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING MARTIN LEONARD SKUTNIK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Mr. SPRATT. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the retirement from 
government service of a true hero, Martin Leonard Skutnik. On June 4, 
2010, Lenny retired after 30 years supporting logistics at the 
Congressional Budget Office, CBO. His work there--printing and 
distribution of literally hundreds of CBO reports, providing IT 
support, and handling mail and supplies--may not have been heroic in 
the standard sense, and Lenny Skutnik may still insist he didn't do 
anything special, but those who remember the Air Florida crash in 
Washington, DC, in 1982 know differently. On that January day when a 
plane crashed into the freezing Potomac River seconds after takeoff, 
Lenny dived from shore to save a woman who was too weakened to hold on 
to a helicopter's rescue line. His selfless and risky act saved 
Priscilla Tirado, and two weeks later President Reagan made Lenny a 
household name by citing his heroism during the State of the Union 
address.
  Lenny never sought recognition of his heroism, but he received it in 
spades, including being awarded both the United States Coast Guard's 
Gold Lifesaving Medal and the Carnegie Hero's Fund Medal. The public 
accolades included ``Lenny Skutnik Days'' in Mississippi in 1982, and a 
unanimously passed resolution by the General Assembly of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia honoring his ``unselfish act of bravery.''
  But day in and day out, Lenny downplayed his heroism in an unassuming 
way, continuing to provide logistics for CBO. Doug Elmendorf, CBO's 
Director, publicly cited Lenny's contributions on Friday, noting that 
Lenny says he was proud to have been part of CBO, and that he learned a 
lot working there.
  Lenny Skutnik exemplifies the spirit of public service, both on that 
fateful winter day in 1982 and every day since then through his work 
with others at CBO to provide budget-related materials that inform 
Congress and the public on key decisions. On behalf of the many people 
who rely on CBO's products, and as a grateful American, I would like to 
thank Lenny Skutnik not just for his heroism in 1982 but also for his 
many years of public service.

                          ____________________