[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21988]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO CLARKE COUNTY, ALABAMA, RESPONDERS FOR SAVING THE LIVES OF 
                           TWO YOUNG CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to several 
local responders in southwest Alabama whose heroic actions helped to 
save the lives of two toddlers.
  John Thomas Atchison and Cole Hicks accidentally fell into the 
backyard pool of their daycare and were unresponsive when they were 
discovered. Dispatchers were immediately called for help, and Alabama 
State Trooper Daryl Linder was the first one on the scene. Moments 
later, Jackson Police officer Carey Slayton arrived, and both began 
administering CPR on the toddlers. Many others began arriving on the 
scene, including Dr. Jared Ellis, who had heard about the incident.
  The boys were flown to the University of South Alabama Women's and 
Children's Hospital. For the next 6 weeks, Cole Hicks was hospitalized 
in Mobile and then transferred to Birmingham. He is still recovering 
and undergoing physical therapy daily. Even though Cole still faces a 
long road to recovery, he is alive and that is all that matters to his 
parents and the people that rescued him that day.
  As for John Thomas Atchison, the 2-year old became responsive and 
started breathing on his own soon after the officers started giving him 
CPR. Today, he is a healthy young boy with no serious damage from the 
accident.
  The Alabama State Legislature as well as the Clarke County Commission 
have passed resolutions honoring the men and women that saved these two 
young boys including: Alabama State Trooper Daryl Linder, Jackson 
Police officer Carey Slayton, Jackson Police officer Barry Fowler, Dr. 
Jared Ellis, EMT Scott Flach, Alan Rutledge, EMT Stacey Rutledge, Kenny 
Reeves, EMT Rodney Johnson and registered nurse Henry Eubanks.
  Madam Speaker, the dedication of the men and women who responded that 
day is a testimony to local law enforcement agencies and their 
commitment to their job and community. I am truly grateful to have men 
and women like this serving our local districts.

                          ____________________