[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5266-5267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL LIFESAVING AWARD

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I rise today to show my profound 
appreciation for the actions of five young Americans who comprise this 
year's School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award recipients as chosen by 
the American Automobile Association.
  In 1920, the American Automobile Association, AAA, began the School 
Safety Patrol Program in hopes of promoting traffic safety amongst 
school children. The AAA School Safety Patrol Program has been awarding 
its highest honor, the Lifesaving Award, to those patrollers who have 
acted to save the life of another since 1949. This year, five heroic 
school safety patrollers are receiving this award, and it is my great 
honor to recognize their courageous actions.
  Ian Valles, a sixth grader from Heights-Murray Elementary School in 
Wilkes-Barre, PA, bore witness to a tragic accident the morning of 
January 9, 2009. While standing at a busy intersection, Ian witnessed a 
van strike adult crossing guard Edward Martin, who jumped in front of 
the van to save a mother and child in its way. Ian stayed calm and 
called 911 with a cell phone, staying by Mr. Martin's side until he was 
safely taken to the hospital by paramedics. Ian's heroism along with 
his calm composure saved the life of Mr. Edward Martin.
  On April 20, 2009, Lauren Micolichek prevented a young girl at South 
View Elementary in Chippewa Falls from being struck by a fast 
approaching car about to make a left turn into the crosswalk. Lauren 
thought quickly when she saw the student walking toward the crosswalk 
and saved her life by shouting ``wait.'' Her immediate response to the 
situation prevented the young girl from being hit by the vehicle.
  Charles Tate, a fifth grade safety patroller from Second District 
Elementary School in Meadville, PA, also demonstrated quick action when 
he saved a kindergarten student from

[[Page 5267]]

crossing an intersection. The kindergartner began to cross the 
intersection while a large truck came down the road. Charles ran into 
the middle of the road and swiftly grabbed the student by his shirt, 
keeping him out of harm's way.
  Michael Grady, a student at Defer Elementary School in Grosse Pointe 
Park, MI, responsibly checked both intersections before allowing a 
group of students to cross. He noticed a car moving toward the students 
and courageously placed himself in front of the group with his arms 
outstretched, diligently responding to the incident before the car 
reached them. Thanks to his prompt actions, Michael prevented a 
tragedy.
  Jerome Manning was patrolling at the same elementary school in 
Michigan the morning of January 12, 2010. Jerome had been assisting the 
children as they crossed the intersection when he spotted a vehicle 
speeding toward a student. Jerome's alertness enabled him to grab the 
boy by his backpack before the car could hit him. His alertness saved 
the child from the car by about 6 inches. Jerome's quick actions have 
made him a hero in his community.
  These five heroic individuals epitomize values of leadership 
qualities such as courage, alertness, and a commitment to safety. 
Moreover, these traits are what the AAA School Safety Patrol Program 
embodies as an institution. Patrollers exemplify the kind of services 
that are needed so that young people safely navigate traffic hazards to 
and from school. I applaud their commitment to positively impacting our 
community.

                          ____________________