[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE INTERAGENCY COOPERATION THAT SAVED A LIFE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SUZAN K. DelBENE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2015

  Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Whatcom County 
Fire District 5, Whatcom County Sheriff's Department, Airlift 
Northwest, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for working 
together to save the life of Hugh Graham, a Point Roberts visitor who 
went into cardiac arrest at the Port of Entry.
   Early on June 7, Hugh and his friend Andy MacLean arrived in Point 
Roberts, having planned a bike ride. Immediately after passing through 
the Port of Entry on Tyee Drive, Hugh collapsed. Customs Agents began 
performing CPR, while a cardiac arrest call went out to the Whatcom 
County Sheriff's Department and Whatcom County Fire District 5.
   The first responders worked on resuscitating Hugh using 
defibrillation and medication until he was stable. Hugh was then 
transported in an Airlift Northwest helicopter to PeaceHealth St. 
Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. The strong relationship between 
the CBP, Airlift Northwest, Fire District 5 and the Sheriff's 
Department was essential in ensuring the best possible outcome for 
Hugh, who has since returned home to fully recover.
   Many thanks go to:
   Whatcom County Fire District 5 personnel:
   Jerry Aguiar, Ben Boyko, Christian Craig, Jeff Finlay, Ryan Greene, 
Mark Puustelli, Fadi Samaha, John Shields, Kristy Steinberger, 
Christina Tersakian, Scott Van Den Boogaard, Kyle Whiteman
   Whatcom County Sheriff Deputies:
   Tom McCarthy, Jayson Loreen
   Airlift Northwest members:
   Bonita Haggith, Rose Goure, Rick Rathbun
   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents:
   Larry Tingley, Eddie Proctor, Timothy Johnson, Denton Glaser, Andrew 
Giles, Merritt Washburn, Christopher Barron, Robert Carter, Detlef 
Goellner
   This situation is a great example of how our community benefits when 
agencies work together at all levels. I am thankful that these men and 
women are hard at work every single day to keep us safe and secure.

                          ____________________