[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  HONORING THE AAA SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL LIFESAVING MEDAL AWARD WINNERS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I am proud to announce to the Senate 
today the names of the young men and women who have been selected to 
receive special awards from the American Automobile Association. Three 
safety patrollers will receive the 2000 AAA School Safety Patrol 
Lifesaving Medal Award. This award is the highest honor given to 
members of the school safety patrol.
  There are roughly 500,000 members of the school safety patrol in this 
country, helping in over 50,000 schools. Every day, these young people 
ensure that their peers arrive safely at school in the morning, and 
back home in the afternoon.
  Most of the time, they accomplish their jobs uneventfully. But, on 
occasion, these volunteers must make split-second decisions, placing 
themselves in harm's way to save the lives of others. The heroic 
actions of this year's recipients exemplify this selflessness, and 
richly deserve recognition.
  The first AAA Lifesaving Medal recipient comes from South San 
Francisco, CA.
  On September 28, 2000, just as children were leaving Our Lady of 
Mercy School for the day, a car hit another car, veered out of control 
and plowed into the school parking lot. Safety patroller Dustin Ramirez 
helped maintain control until rescue and police officials arrived. His 
quick thinking and courage helped prevent any students from being hurt.
  This year's second AAA Lifesaving Medal honoree comes from Brooklyn 
Center, MN.
  On January 4, 2001, safety patroller Stefani Egnell was preventing 
students at Willow Lane Elementary School from crossing the street 
until she could determine if a speeding car was going to stop. Stefani 
prevented one 8-year-old girl from stepping in front of the car. She 
also pulled a boy who hadn't heard her warning back out of harm's way.
  The third AAA Lifesaving Medal winner comes from Manassas, VA.
  In March 2000, quick action by safety patroller Jonathan Waldron 
stopped a third grade student from being hit by a bus that had begun 
pulling away from the curb. Since the youngster was in the blind spot 
of the bus, the driver did not see him. Jonathan pulled him out of the 
path of the bus and prevented what could have been a tragedy.
  In addition to honoring safety patrollers with the Lifesaving Medal 
Award, AAA also recognizes the School Safety Patroller of the year. 
This award is presented to patrollers who have performed their duties 
above and beyond their normal responsibilities and demonstrate 
outstanding leadership, dependability, and academic strength.
  Courtney Graf Bernet has been named School Safety Patroller of the 
Year by AAA Mid-Atlantic. Courtney is a sixth-grader at Lee's Corner 
Elementary School in Fairfax, VA. In November, 2000, Courtney was on 
patrol duty when a fellow student alerted her that he was having a 
seizure. Courtney instinctively knew what to do to make the student 
safe and comfortable. She helped him sit down on a soft, grassy area, 
took off his backpack so he wouldn't hurt himself, and sent his sister 
for help. After the crisis was over, she also made sure the other 
students at the stop safely got on their bus.
  Courtney's friends and teachers describe her as courageous and 
responsible. She excels at using computers, and when she is faced with 
a challenge, she perseveres until she succeeds. She and all of the 
other AAA winners deserve our thanks and applause.
  On behalf of the Senate, I extend congratulations and thanks to these 
young women and men who are visiting the Capitol today. They are an 
asset to their communities, and their families and neighbors should be 
very proud of their courage and dedication.
  I would also like to recognize the American Automobile Association 
for providing the supplies and training necessary to keep the safety 
patrol on duty nationwide.
  Since the 1920's, AAA clubs across the country have been sponsoring 
student safety patrols to guide and protect younger classmates against 
traffic accidents. Easily recognizable by their fluorescent orange 
safety belt and shoulder strap, safety patrol members represent the 
very best of their schools and communities. Experts credit school 
safety patrol programs with helping to lower the number of traffic 
accidents and fatalities involving young children.
  We owe AAA our gratitude for their tireless efforts to ensure that 
our Nation's children arrive to and from school safe and sound.
  And we owe our thanks to these exceptional young men and women for 
their selfless actions. The discipline and courage they displayed 
deserves the praise and recognition of their schools, their communities 
and the Nation.

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