[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29850]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO BRANDON PHILIP WATTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a brave young 
man from my home district, who selflessly gave his life trying to save 
a friend.
  On June 25, 2003, Brandon Philip Watters was at Sequoia National Park 
with his brother, Garet, and friends. They were swimming at ``the 
cliffs,'' along the Kaweah River. Brandon was enjoying a well-deserved 
summer break from pre-med courses at the University of California, 
Santa Cruz.
  Suddenly, Brandon noticed that his friend, Renne Suddeth, was caught 
in the rapids. Without thought to his own safety, he immediately dove 
in the water, struggling against the roiling waters. Marshaling every 
bit of his strength, he was able to get his nearly drowned friend to 
safety.
  Just as Garet pulled Renne from the river, Brandon was pulled 
underneath the turbulent water by strong currents. Recognizing the 
extreme peril of diving in after Brandon, who was the strongest swimmer 
among them, the others kept each other from jumping in after him.
  Brandon's courageous act cost him his life. The water was so 
treacherous that well-trained, experienced divers noted that it 
hindered their recovery efforts for more than two hours.
  Brandon was undoubtedly aware of the danger. We know that he would 
make the same decision were he given that choice again. His sacrifice 
is a testimony to his personal character.
  That was even evident as hundreds of his friends flocked to St. 
Mary's Church to honor his memory. His wit, intelligence, self-effacing 
modesty, generosity and kindness have touched many people.
  I urge my colleagues to join me by extending their sympathies and 
deepest gratitude to the family of Brandon Watters for his life and 
sacrifice. He will be missed.

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