[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING CORPORAL TOM PENUEL AND AGENT FIRST CLASS DREW AYDELOTTE 
          FOR HEROISM IN RESCUING THREE BOATERS FROM DROWNING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2002

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
congratulate two employees of the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Division 
for their heroic rescue on Sunday, June 30, 2002 of three boaters whose 
boat sunk in the Delaware Bay. Corporal Tom Penuel and Agent First 
Class Drew Aydelotte rescued Richard and Beth Owens and their friend, 
Beth Mariani, who were stranded in Delaware Bay for an hour after their 
boat sunk.
  Mr. and Mrs. Owens and Ms. Mariani had been returning in a 17-foot 
Grady White boat from a fishing trip and stopped to check two crab pots 
a half-mile from Kitts Hummock. At that time, a wave crashed over the 
bow and filled up a live-bait well, Within 30 seconds, the boat sunk to 
the bottom of the Delaware Bay. Through quick thinking they were able 
to radio for help before the boat was lost. The Fish and Wildlife 
officers were dispatched from Bowers Beach 15 minutes later. This quick 
action was essential because as the boaters started to paddle toward 
shore on a boat seat, the seat became waterlogged and also sunk. 
Corporal Penuel and Agent First Class Aydelotte found them 1 hour later 
floating in the Delaware Bay a half-mile offshore. These two officers 
deserve our utmost gratitude and respect for their courageous efforts. 
Mr. and Mrs. Owens and Ms. Mariani also deserve recognition for their 
quick thinking and tremendous courage in surviving this tragic event. I 
wish them a full and speedy recovery.
  Corporal Tom Penuel and Agent First Class Drew Aydelotte of the 
Delaware Fish and Wildlife Division serve as role models of dedication 
for all officials, not only in Delaware, but throughout the country. I 
commend them for their immense bravery in executing their lifesaving 
training.

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