[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 77 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA MEDAL OF MERIT AWARD TO 
                           CHRISTOPHER MAYHEW

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic acts 
of Christopher Mayhew who was recently awarded the Medal of Merit by 
the Boy Scouts of America for providing first aid to the victim of a 
car accident. A Medal of Merit, is presented for an outstanding act of 
service of a rare or exceptional nature that reflects an uncommon 
degree of concern for the well being of others. Since it was instituted 
in 1946, just 6,229 have been awarded.
   Christopher, who joined Troop 1131 in 2008, is currently a Life 
Scout and has been a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Senior Patrol 
Leader. He was 15 at the time of the incident.
   On July 27, 2012, Christopher and his family were returning from 
Virginia Beach. Suddenly, a car in front of them swerved and went off 
the road, flipping over as it went down an embankment. Christopher 
immediately directed his mother to stop the car to help.
   He jumped out of the car, asked his mother to dial 911 and ran down 
the hill to the wrecked car, which was barely visible from the road. 
The car had landed on its wheels and the driver and passenger were able 
to get out of the car. The driver had numerous cuts from broken glass, 
some deep, on his arms, face and head. Christopher ran back to his own 
car and retrieved the only first aid supplies he could find--paper 
napkins and a bottle of water--and ran back down to help clean up the 
driver's cuts and apply pressure to one deep cut to slow the bleeding. 
He continued to provide first aid until the rescue squad arrived. For 
his actions Christopher received a letter of Commendation from the 
Chief of the James City County Volunteer Fire Department, whose EMT 
unit was the one on the scene.
   The Boy Scouts' Medal of Merit awards nomination process is a long 
and involved one. To determine if an action is worthy of special 
recognition, witnesses to the event must first contact the Unit Leader. 
The Unit Leader gathers facts and documentation to make a determination 
if the event warrants further attention. If so, he submits the 
information to an Area Council.
   If the Awards Committee at the Area Council decides the nomination 
is worthy of consideration, it conducts face-to-face interviews of the 
Scout and witnesses. The Awards Committee may then submit the 
nomination to the National Scout Headquarters in Irving, Texas. The 
nomination is then reviewed at the National Council of the Boy Scouts 
of America, and if approved, the National Court of Honor makes the 
award. In 2012, just 126 Scouts earned the Medal of Merit.
   Christopher's heroic actions exemplify the Scout motto: Be Prepared! 
The founder of the Boy Scouts in England, Robert Baden-Powell explained 
that to Be Prepared ``means you are always in a state of readiness in 
mind and body to do your duty.'' Christopher was prepared through his 
training to provide first aid, but technical skills alone could not 
have prepared him for the situation he confronted that day. More 
importantly, he was prepared mentally to react immediately and had the 
fortitude to risk his own safety in order to help others.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing 
Christopher Mayhew of Fairfax County, Virginia, for the remarkable 
bravery and skill he demonstrated in this harrowing situation and in 
congratulating him on this well-deserved honor. I also thank the Boy 
Scouts for continuing to teach young men to be prepared to serve others 
in need.

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