[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MISSY THOMS AND JIM KAVARS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 17, 2007

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize two heroic 
individuals from north Iowa for their swift and unselfish actions, 
which resulted in saving a man's life.
  On Saturday, September 29, 2007, Eusebio ``Joe'' Garcia of Albert 
Lea, Minnesota, was driving on a highway in Mason City, Iowa, when he 
suffered a heart attack and lost control of his vehicle into the 
median.
  Missy Thoms of Mason City and Jim Kavars of Clear Lake witnessed the 
vehicle in the median and quickly came to the scene to assist. Joe did 
not have a pulse and was not breathing. Missy and Jim conducted CPR 
until the paramedics arrived. Missy, a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Mason 
City, advised the paramedics that Joe needed an IV and to be 
defibrillated. With that helpful information and Missy and Jim's work, 
the paramedics revived Joe's breathing before they even had him in the 
ambulance.
  Missy and Jim are great examples to use when teaching our children 
and grandchildren about the importance of helping thy neighbor.
  I know that all of my colleagues join me in commending Missy Thoms 
and Jim Kavars and honoring them for their swift and unselfish actions 
which resulted in saving Joe Garcia's life. I am truly honored to 
represent both of these heroes in the United States Congress.

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