[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ABIGAYIL CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 12, 2016

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of 
Abigayil Clark, a Bland County High School senior who has also been 
with the Bland Fire Department for a little more than two years. 
Remarkably, this young woman recently saved the life of a fellow 
firefighter, Zeke Harman.
  The Bland County Messenger newspaper reports that around midnight on 
January 21, the two were among a group of firefighters responding to a 
fatal house fire. Harman began attacking the fire with the heavy fire 
hose, with Clark close behind. All of a sudden, Clark says, Harman 
abruptly turned off the hose before stumbling a few steps and falling 
directly into the fire.
  Clark attempted to help Harman out of the fire, but quickly realized 
he was not going to get up on his own. She then picked him up and 
carried him approximately 15 feet before taking off their masks. Upon 
doing so, she observed that Harman was unconscious and not breathing. 
She was preparing to begin performing CPR when Harman regained 
consciousness.
  Harman and Clark then recognized they were close enough to the 
burning residence that, if it were to collapse, they both would be 
injured. Clark again picked up Harman and helped get them both to 
safety.
  ``If it wasn't for her, I don't know what I would have done, 
honestly,'' Harman said. ``I'm grateful, very, very grateful.''
  The newspaper reports Harman's tests at the Wythe County Community 
Hospital came back normal, and that both returned to running calls as 
members of the Bland County fire and rescue squads the very next day.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Abigayil 
Clark for her bravery in this situation. It is clear this young woman 
responded in fine fashion, and truly rose to the occasion. I thank her 
for her efforts, and also thank Zeke Harman, their fellow firefighters, 
and other emergency personnel for their important work to help keep 
safe those in their communities.

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