[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 6, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  TRIBUTE TO MARY ELIZABETH CUNNINGHAM

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to 
a Connecticut resident who recently demonstrated extraordinary 
capability and heroism. Mary Elizabeth Cunningham, a resident of 
Niantic, who works as an emergency room nurse at Yale-New Haven 
Hospital, was flying from Chicago to Hartford on April 22. When she 
heard an announcement over the loudspeaker seeking the assistance of 
any medical professionals on board, she quickly volunteered to help a 
passenger experiencing respiratory difficulties. After successfully 
providing aid, Ms. Cunningham was about to return to her seat when she 
was asked to help another passenger, who had lost consciousness. While 
assessing the situation, she began to feel dizzy herself, along with 
other passengers and members of the flight crew.
  Despite the challenging circumstances, she did not panic but instead 
urged the flight crew to make an emergency landing, fearing something 
was wrong. The pilot swiftly landed the plane in Buffalo, and although 
17 passengers were later evaluated by medical personnel, it appears 
that everyone has made a full recovery. Had Ms. Cunningham not been on 
the plane to assist with handling the situation, that might not have 
been the case.
  Ms. Cunningham deserves the highest praise, not just for her choice 
to become a health provider, but for her speedy and decisive actions to 
help those in need and recognizing a potentially disastrous situation. 
I am particularly pleased to recognize her on National Nurses Day, when 
we recognize the essential services nurses provide in hospitals and 
communities all across the country. I know all of Connecticut joins me 
in honoring and thanking Ms. Cunningham for her exemplary performance 
in the line of duty.

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