[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30720]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``BERT'' LUCAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2007

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William ``Bert'' 
Lucas for his thoughtful and compassionate actions which resulted in 
the saving of two peoples' lives in two separate incidents.
  Bert, a postman from Cresco, Iowa, has been employed with the postal 
service for 13 years. In August 2007, during his regular route in 
Decorah, Iowa, Bert noticed Edna Prestsater was not out waiting for him 
like she regularly did. The following day Edna had not picked up her 
mail, so Bert contacted Edna's granddaughter with his concerns. Edna 
had fallen the day before and was unable to get up due to several 
cracked vertebrae. Bert's concern for Edna no doubt saved her life.
  Just 3 weeks later, Bert also noticed Orval Tilleraas did not pick up 
his previous day's mail. Bert swiftly contacted Orval's landlord, who 
came to check on Orval. Orval was stricken with an illness which caused 
his kidneys to stop functioning. Doctors said Orval only had a few 
hours to live had he not received the medical attention he needed.
  Bert's alertness and caring demeanor go above and beyond the normal 
line of duty in this great country of ours. I commend William ``Bert'' 
Lucas for his Good Samaritan deeds. I am honored to represent Bert in 
Congress, and I wish him the best in the future.

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