[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 30, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DAN AGUILAR

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 30, 2012

  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise to pay 
tribute to a true American hero, Dan Aguilar of Palm City, Florida. Dan 
has been awarded the Silver Plaque International Alpine Solidarity 
Award, given to individuals who have risked their lives to save others 
in dangerous mountain accidents. Dan is a well-known mountain rescuer 
who deserves both the admiration and the praise of this body.
  Dan grew up in Dallas, Texas, where he resided for 18 years. After 
graduating from Crozier Tech High School, he served in the US Army for 
four years. Upon returning to the United States, he moved to Vail, 
Colorado where he began his now renowned career in mountain rescue. 
Dan's love for the mountains has seen him travel the globe and conquer 
the most dangerous alpine trails in the world. What's more, his 
mountain climbing adventures have taken him to Mexico, Ecuador, Alaska, 
and Argentina. But it is not his accomplishments as a climber or 
mountain hiker that have earned him this prestigious award, but rather 
it is his courage as a mountain rescuer.
  In the early 1980's, Dan suffered the crushing loss of a dear friend 
that completely changed his view of climbing. For some time he was 
unable to even fathom climbing again, but this experience eventually 
drove him to the line of work that has made him a living legend. He has 
been a member of the Vail Mountain Rescue Group in the nearly three 
decades since.
  For Dan, saving the life of another seems to come naturally. In fact, 
this award is not the first time he has received recognition for his 
devotion to helping others. He was also awarded the Mountain Rescue 
Association's Outstanding Individual Service Award. In all, it is 
estimated that Dan has been involved in around 500 different rescue 
missions since his involvement with Mountain Rescue. His advanced 
rescue skills have also been utilized in rescues on Mt. Rainier in 
Washington, the Pamirs in Russia, and the Aconcogua in South America.
  Dan's dedication and incredible compassion to help others have earned 
him a legendary reputation and the admiration of people around the 
world. According to Tim Cochrane, a fellow member of Mountain Rescue, 
in an article in The Vail Daily by Tamara Miller, ``Aguilar is the 
first volunteer rescuer in North America to win the award.''
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the State of Florida and the U.S. Congress, 
I congratulate Dan on this distinguished and well-deserved award. He is 
a great American who deserves our gratitude and praise.
  Dan, your community, State, and Nation are proud of you.

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