[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16536]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS IN HAMILTON, BOONE AND WEBSTER 
                                COUNTIES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the collective 
effort of citizens and officials in Hamilton, Boone and Webster 
Counties in rescuing two gentlemen from the flooded Boone River in 
Iowa.
   On Monday, June 9, at 2:45 p.m., Charlie Davis noticed two men 
floating down the Boone River. He quickly dialed 911 on his cellular 
phone and got through to the Hamilton County Dispatch Center. He 
relayed the message but got disconnected because he was in a limited 
cellular signal area. When Charlie redialed 911, this time he was 
connected to the Webster County Dispatch Center. As a result, Fire and 
Rescue Departments in Kramer, Stratford, Stanhope and Webster City, the 
Boone County Search and Rescue Team, Hamilton County Conservation 
staff, Hamilton County Chief Deputy Scott McConnell, First Iowa 
Methodist Medical Center, Mercy AirLife helicopters, pilot Ralph Storm, 
and others were all on the scene to help.
   As the two men floated down the river, rescue crews set up on the 
Stagecoach Road Bridge waiting for the men to float to them. After 
waiting for a period of time, Ralph Storm flew his spray plane up and 
down the river until he spotted them. Once spotted, the Boone Rescue 
Team; Brian Pontius and Dallas Wingate, were notified to put their boat 
in the river and then retrieved the brothers from the water at 3:50 
p.m.
   The diligent team effort of all involved in this rescue effort is a 
testament to the bravery and compassion of Iowans; willing to do 
whatever is necessary for a neighbor in need. I commend all those 
involved for their heroism and cooperation. I am honored to represent 
each of them in the United States Congress, and wish each of them 
health and happiness in the future.

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