[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 401]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL PATTERSON FOR SAVING THE LIFE OF AN ELEMENTARY 
                             SCHOOL STUDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 17, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise today to pay tribute to Michael Patterson whose heroic actions 
helped save the life of Chad Hostnick, a first-grader at Elsanor School 
in Robertsdale, Alabama.
  On the morning of Monday, December 17, 2007, Michael decided to take 
the bus to school instead of driving his motorcycle as he often does. 
Michael just had a feeling that he should ride the bus that morning and 
what followed was simply miraculous.
  On the bus ride home from school that Monday afternoon, Michael 
noticed that 7-year-old Chad appeared to be having trouble breathing. 
Without hesitation, Michael put to use his first-aid training--training 
he learned as a part of his Navy Junior ROTC program at Robertsdale 
High School--and he initiated the Heimlich Maneuver.
  When Michael realized that his efforts were not dislodging the 
object, he quickly began to massage Chad's throat until he located the 
obstruction and pushed upward. He then attempted the Heimlich Maneuver 
again and a piece of butterscotch candy came out of Chad's mouth.
  In recognition of Michael's efforts, Master Chief Petty Officer 
Robert Dairy awarded him the Meritorious Service Ribbon, the highest 
honor available to Navy Junior ROTC members.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me recognizing Michael 
Patterson for his heroism and commending him on his quick actions to 
save the life of Chad Hostnick. The citizens of Robertsdale and the 
state of Alabama are forever thankful. Michael is a true hero.

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