[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF STATE POLICE TROOPER PHILIP BATTEL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Griffith) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a different 
subject, one that I think we can all be pleased about. I rise in honor 
of Virginia State Police Trooper Philip Battel, a devoted public 
servant.
  In the early hours of Friday, December 28, 2012, Trooper Battel saved 
three lives from a burning home. Trooper Battel was actually assisting 
the Saltville Police and Smyth County deputies in the search for a 
stolen car, which had been involved in an earlier police chase, when he 
noticed an orange hue off in the distance. He decided to investigate.
  When Trooper Battel reached the area in question, much to his 
surprise he saw a home completely engulfed in flames. He banged on the 
door, but there was no answer. He made the selfless decision to enter 
the burning home and investigate. He began yelling and making noise. 
His activity in the house awoke the three residents, who had no idea 
that their home was burning down around them. His actions led to their 
ultimate escape from the home and from the fire. They're all in good 
health. Their lives were saved, and the lives of two of their pets were 
saved.
  Trooper Battel's heroic actions and service to the community are to 
be commended. I am honored to pay tribute to him. Please join me in 
thanking Trooper Battel for all that he has done for the people of 
southwest Virginia.
  Mr. Speaker, if I may, it has been my experience in working with the 
State police over many decades that they always respond in fine fashion 
and that they rise to the occasion. Trooper Battel is just another 
example in a long history of the good work and heroism of the Virginia 
State police.

                          ____________________