[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO TONY COLLINS

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2014

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Clive 
Assistant Fire Chief Tony Collins of Dallas Center, Iowa, for his 
lifesaving efforts on March 14, 2014.
  Don Roese, an 83-year-old Pomeroy resident, was enjoying a Friday 
night with his daughter-in-law at a Waukee establishment when tragedy 
struck. Near midnight, Don fell to the ground unconscious after 
experiencing a severe heart attack caused by complete blockage in two 
major arteries. As the bar patrons' mood shifted from relaxed to panic, 
it was Mr. Tony Collins, at the bar celebrating his 53rd birthday, who 
took the situation into his own hands.
  Mr. Collins immediately began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while 
directing four other customers to check for vital signs and perform 
chest compressions. For nearly fifteen minutes, Tony and his team 
continued to work on resuscitating Mr. Roese with no signs of hope. 
Finally, Don regained his pulse and began breathing again, ultimately 
conscious and alert by the time the ambulance arrived. There is no 
doubt that Tony's quick thinking and heroic actions saved Mr. Roese's 
life that night.
  Mr. Speaker, Assistant Fire Chief Collins' instinct and brave actions 
to save a fellow Iowan's life embody the selfless attributes we all 
should strive for. His extraordinary response to this life-threatening 
situation should give us all pause as we offer gratitude to our local 
heroes. It is a great honor to represent Tony in the United States 
Congress, and I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in 
congratulating and thanking him for his outstanding performance and 
commitment when it truly mattered most.

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