[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13936]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         THREE AMERICAN HEROES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Bera) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the three young men 
from Sacramento County who have deep roots in my district and whose 
quick thinking onboard a train to Paris saved lives and inspired our 
country.
  Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, and Spencer Stone sprang into action 
to stop a man wielding a gun and a box cutter onboard their train. The 
childhood friends were on vacation when the gunman burst into their 
cabin.
  As an Oregon Army National Guardsman, Army Specialist Alek Skarlatos 
had recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. He was the first to 
sound the alarm, telling his friends, ``Let's go,'' as they moved to 
subdue the gunman.
  Anthony Sadler, a senior at Sacramento State University, and Airman 
First Class Spencer Stone of the United States Air Force acted without 
hesitation.
  Stone was slashed while trying to disarm the man, but the injury did 
not stop him. After subduing the gunman, the trained EMT went on to 
help treat other injured passengers.
  These men showed bravery as they put themselves in harm's way to save 
those around them. Today I commend them and recognize their great 
service.
  A parade in their honor will be held tomorrow in Sacramento. The date 
September 11 is fitting. They will be welcomed home and honored for 
their heroism. The story of these three men is a reminder that everyone 
can be a hero.
  Thank you, Alek, Anthony, and Spencer. You have made your hometown 
proud, and you have made the United States proud.

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