[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TWO HARRISBURG HEROES

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2017

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge City of Harrisburg, 
Illinois, Water and Sewer Superintendent Kelly Hefner and Harrisburg 
Fire Chief John Gunning for their fast thinking and their quick 
response during our most recent flooding in the 15th District of 
Illinois. At the beginning of May, both the superintendent and the fire 
chief rescued drivers whose vehicles had ended up submerged in water.
  Kelly Hefner dove into the floodwaters near the intersection of East 
Sloan Street and Commercial Street in Harrisburg on May 1st. Hefner 
moved quickly to rescue a man who had driven his SUV into a flooded 
ditch. It was the second rescue in that particular area of town. Just 
the day before, Fire Chief Gunning had to rescue the driver of a 
vehicle who had driven into a flooded ditch.
  Both heroes selflessly acted fast to assist the drivers, who could 
not undo their seat belts as cold water flooded into their sinking 
vehicles. I offer my deepest admiration and gratitude to these two 
heroic gentlemen for working hard to keep Harrisburg's citizens safe, 
and for inspiring us all to think about others.
  I thank Superintendent Hefner and Chief Gunning for their service.

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