[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19639]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF KEVIN LEONARD, JR. AND SHAWN LEONARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize the heroic efforts of 
two brothers, fourteen-year-old Kevin Leonard, Jr. and twelve-year-old 
Shawn Leonard.
  Last summer in July of 2008, while the two boys were riding bicycles 
near their home in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, they saw a man drowning 
near the Kittanning Riverfront Park. They quickly swam into the 
Allegheny River where they began to help the victim. Eventually, a 
nearby fisherman provided life jackets and the boys were able to use 
them to keep the man afloat while they waited for professional rescue 
crews to arrive.
  While many their age would have been content to let others act, the 
selfless courage exhibited by these fine young men helped to save 
another's life. Their quick thinking and reaction was also invaluable 
as it allowed the man to stay afloat while waiting to be taken back to 
shore.
  In honor of their life-saving effort, the two were presented 
outstanding citizenship awards by the Pennsylvania State Police.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to conclude my remarks by congratulating the 
Leonard brothers for their fine act of bravery and for their awards. 
The selfless qualities exhibited by these two young men inspire us all 
to help others who are in need. I hope that their hard work will be an 
example for many.

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