[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20161]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       LOCAL SCOUTS TO THE RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2005

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, organizations like the Boy Scouts 
embody the spirit of our Nation--giving to others, selfless sacrifice, 
and patriotism.
  A group of young men in my district recently demonstrated the highest 
ideals of our nation when faced with a difficult situation. The Scout 
pledge includes a promise to ``help people at all times'' and these 
young men demonstrated that. They didn't stop to help in order to get 
attention, but to do what was right, to do to others as they would have 
done to them. And the result was a heroic effort that saved lives.
  While on their way away from a Scout camp on their night off, these 
young men witnessed an accident on the road just behind them, and 
instead of leaving it to someone else to help and heading on to dinner, 
they stopped to help.
  One of the cars involved was already on fire when the Scouts jumped 
into action, as some of the young men began directing traffic around 
the scene as others began rescuing children from the burning car. They 
stabilized the injured children, assessed the immediate injuries, and 
worked to find a fire extinguisher to get control of the fire.
  When paramedics and other first responders from Pike County arrived, 
they worked hand-in-hand with the Scouts in taking control of the 
scene. The Scouts also assisted in clearing an area for a LifeFlight 
helicopter to land to transport the most seriously injured.
  These young men, Chris Henry, Paul Hutchens, Neal Wilson, George 
Boggs, Zack Deckner, and Joseph Fernander, demonstrated the highest 
ideals of American and Boy Scout values by stopping to help those in 
need. They sacrificed their time, and used their skills bravely, and 
saved lives.
  Although tragically, Mrs. Christy Redenz and her 5-year-old daughter 
died at the scene, the Scouts' quick action and training resulted in 
the other children being safely airlifted to local hospitals.
  Many people in this life look for opportunities to be heroes, to be 
something great; but the greatest heroes are those who accomplish great 
things while doing their duty in the small things.
  These young men are true heroes, and I am honored to bring their 
actions to the attention of this House. President Reagan once said 
something that is very appropriate in this situation--``Some people 
spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference . . .'' 
In the case of these brave young men, they don't have that problem.
  Mr. Speaker, the light of the United States of America will continue 
to burn brightly as long as we have young men like these surrounding 
all of us and leading the way.

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