[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING SCOTT HECHT FOR HIS BRAVERY AND HEROISM

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                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. ISRAEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Scott Hecht, a 
resident of Hauppauge, New York, for being awarded the Carnegie Medal 
by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. This prestigious award is given 
to civilians who risk their lives to save the lives of others. Scott 
Hecht saved a girl from drowning on July 30, 2009, in Mastic Beach, New 
York.
   According to the Commission, ``A teenage girl struggled to stay 
afloat in the Atlantic Ocean after being swept away from the beach by a 
strong current. Beachgoers shouted for help, attracting the attention 
of Hecht, 45, a social worker, who was in a camping area nearby. 
Although he decided earlier not to swim that day because of rough surf 
conditions, Hecht entered the water with a short surfboard and, holding 
onto the board, swam out to the girl, reaching her at a point about 200 
feet from shore. He grasped her by the wrists and held them over the 
board and then started toward shore. Waves overtook them as they 
proceeded, and a lateral current swept them along the shoreline. Others 
aided the girl when they reached wadable water, and Hecht also reached 
the beach safely. Hecht was very tired and sustained scratches to his 
legs, but he did not need medical treatment.''
   I am proud to recognize Mr. Hecht for his bravery and selflessness 
and I thank him for helping make the 2nd District of New York a place 
in which citizens take care of their fellow citizens.

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