[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H3396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1245
          HONORING THE LIFE OF DEPUTY SHERIFF MICHAEL SEVERSON

  (Mr. DUFFY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Polk County Deputy 
Sheriff Michael Severson for his bravery, for his selflessness, and for 
his sacrifice in the line of duty on April 19, 1991.
  On that day, Deputy Severson was shot in the spine and suffered 
paralysis from the neck down. Also from that incident, his partner, 
Deputy Allen Albee, lost his life. He was a husband and a father of 
two.
  In the 23 years since that incident, Deputy Severson's life would 
change as a result of his injuries, but he would never give up on life. 
Deputy Severson traveled and shared his story with others. He provided 
inspiration and hope for those struggling to adjust to the challenging 
life of paralysis.
  Then, sadly, on Monday, April 14, Deputy Severson succumbed to his 
wounds, and he passed away in his hometown of St. Croix Falls, 
Wisconsin.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past 23 years, Deputy Severson persevered. For 
his bravery, for his selflessness, and for his sacrifice in the line of 
duty, he is one of our heroes.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I would ask all of you to join me in offering our 
gratitude for his service. On behalf of this entire body, we thank him, 
and we extend our condolences to his family.

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