[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1700-E1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF STAFF SERGEANT JAMIE WEST

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                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the courageous 
and selfless actions of Army Staff Sergeant Jamie West, which have 
earned him our Nation's highest congressionally authorized award for 
heroism during peacetime. As a member of the U.S. House Armed Services 
Committee, I am proud to recognize one of Fort Carson's finest soldiers 
who placed his own life at risk to save the lives of three Colorado 
Springs children in 2008. While driving off-duty on February 23, 2008, 
Staff Sergeant Jamie West observed three children fall through a 
fragile ice-pond and one of those children becoming completely 
submerged in the freezing water. The Soldier's Medal citation reads, 
``Without thought to his own safety, he decided to attempt to rescue 
the endangered children. With ice crumbling around him and at risk to 
his own life, he pulled the children from the water and successfully 
administered first aid until emergency personnel arrived.''
  Every soldier knows the importance of courage. It is one of the 
Army's seven core values of soldiering. Courage on and off the 
battlefield cannot be underestimated. It takes courage to withstand the 
rigors of war and it takes courage to assume responsibility for life 
and death decisions. It also takes courage to do the right thing under 
intense pressure, but the act of courage at the risk of one's own life 
deserves special recognition.
  The pages of American military history are filled with heroes who 
willingly put their lives at risk in order to save others--and Staff 
Sergeant West's name will now be inscribed among them.
  It was no accident that SSG West was in the vicinity of that pond at 
the time of crisis. It is clear that, for some providential purpose, he 
was in the right place at the right time and had demonstrated great 
courage and personal sacrifice. It is my distinct honor to recognize 
his heroic actions and commitment to uphold the finest qualities of 
leadership and military values.

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