[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S3947]]
   HONORING THE 2002 AAA SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL LIFESAVING MEDAL AWARD 
                                WINNERS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I am proud to announce to the Senate 
today the names of the young men and women who have been selected to 
receive special awards from the American Automobile Association. Six 
safety patrollers will receive the 2002 AAA School Safety Patrol 
Lifesaving Medal Award, the highest honor given to members of the 
school safety patrol. They are in Washington, DC, today to receive 
their awards, and I wanted to say how proud we are of them all.
  There are roughly 500,000 members of the AAA School Safety Patrol in 
this country, helping in over 50,000 schools. Every day, these young 
people ensure that their peers arrive safely at school in the morning, 
and back home in the afternoon.
  Most of the time, they accomplish their jobs uneventfully. But, on 
occasion, these volunteers must make split-second decisions, placing 
themselves in harm's way to save the lives of others. The heroic 
actions of this year's recipients exemplify this selflessness.
  The first AAA Lifesaving Medal recipient comes from Alexandria, MN.
  On January 11, 2002, 12-year-old Kathryn DelZoppo, a captain on St. 
Mary's Catholic School Safety Patrol, was at her post with four other 
patrol team members. Even though the duty period was almost over, 
Kathryn remained alert and kept watch over her team.
  As one member of the team approached a busy intersection, a child ran 
past him, into the street, and into the path of a swiftly approaching 
vehicle. Thinking fast, Kathryn grabbed the child's jacket and pulled 
him back to the safety of the curb.
  This year's second AAA Lifesaving Medal honoree comes from Manassas, 
VA.
  On September 20, 2001, Weems Elementary School Safety Patrol Ernesto 
Navarrette, age 11, was on duty at the bus circle with six other 
patrols and a teacher. Ernesto scanned the area for possible safety 
hazards as students climbed onto their buses.
  A pick-up truck parked in the grass nearby began to back up, but no 
one could hear the truck's engine over the noise of the children and 
buses. Only Ernesto saw the truck backing up toward a fellow patrol 
member, who had her back to the moving truck. He yelled to the patrol 
to move out of the way. She did, just in time.
  The next AAA Lifesaving Medal winners come from Lancaster, OH.
  On November 21, 2001, Sandersen Elementary School Safety Patrols 
Justin Wright, age 13, and Ethan Trush, age 12, were on duty on 
opposite sides of a crosswalk outside their school. After checking for 
oncoming traffic, Justin and Ethan allowed a third grader to cross the 
street.
  Just then, a car left the school grounds, speeding and fishtailing as 
it approached the crosswalk. Ethan spotted the car just as the younger 
student reached the middle of the crosswalk. He yelled out a warning to 
Justin and then quickly moved to safety. Justin immediately dashed into 
the road and pulled the third grader out of the street, barely escaping 
being hit by the oncoming car.
  The fifth AAA Lifesaving Award recipient comes from Westfield, NJ.
  On October 16, 2001, Franklin Elementary School Safety Patrol Matthew 
Printz, age 11, was at his usual post outside the school with fellow 
patrols and a school crossing guard.
  Signaling traffic to continue, the crossing guard called to the 
patrols to hold back any students approaching the intersection. Just as 
traffic began to move, however, a student stepped around Matthew and 
into the street. Matthew immediately grabbed the strap of the student's 
backpack and pulled him out of the street just in time to avoid being 
hit.
  The sixth AAA Lifesaving Award honoree is from Fairfax, VA.
  On March 7, 2002, 11-year-old Greg Whitaker, captain of the Fairhill 
Elementary School Safety Patrol, was walking with a first-grade student 
toward their homes after fulfilling his school bus patrol duties.
  A man pulled up in his van and blocked the boys' path. The man got 
out of his van and started to ask the little boy several questions, 
including where he lived. Greg immediately said in a loud voice, ``We 
need to go home!'' He took the first-grader's hand, and walked the boy 
directly home. Before the van pulled away, Greg committed the license 
plate number, the van, and the driver to memory.
  Safely home, Greg called his patrol sponsor for further guidance. The 
sponsor called the local police, and was told there was a warrant out 
for the man's arrest. Greg's quick thinking and courage saved himself 
and the younger boy from a wanted felon.
  In addition to honoring safety patrollers with the Lifesaving Medal 
Award, AAA also recognizes the School Safety Patroller of the Year. 
This award is presented to patrollers who perform duties above and 
beyond their normal responsibilities and demonstrate outstanding 
leadership, dependability, and academic strength.
  This year, the Safety Patroller of the Year goes to Kaitlin 
McLoughlin, age 14, an 8th grader and Safety Patrol Captain at Our 
Shepherd Lutheran School in Birmingham, MI.
  Usually, students have to be in eighth grade to be a safety patrol 
captain. Kaitlin was allowed to join a year early, however, after 
submitting an impressive essay and completing an interview process. She 
was also chosen captain of her patrol team the following year.
  Kaitlin's principal describes her as ``dependable, clear thinking, 
calm, and well-respected by students and teachers alike.''
  Kaitlin's responsibilities include keeping a weekly record of her 
safety squad, raising and lowering the school flag, and keeping track 
of the safety belts and ponchos. When she is on duty, she is 
responsible for locking one of the school doors after the final bell 
rings in the morning. She must also organize her squad and assign duty 
stations monthly.
  Recently, the faculty chose Kaitlin to attend the Birmingham Optimist 
Club breakfast for outstanding area students. She has also served as a 
kindergarten and computer classroom aide, and assisted with photography 
for the school website.
  Kaitlin is co-captain of the cheering squad, vice-president of the 
student council, co-chairman of the 7th-8th grade dance, and sings in 
the choir. She is Mistress of Ceremonies for the school talent show and 
serves as hostess for Lutheran Schools' Week. Kaitlin also works with 
the local food bank and on various school fundraisers. She is active in 
her church youth group, cheerfully volunteers her services when asked 
and often seeks out other opportunities to serve.
  She and all of the other AAA winners deserve our thanks and applause.
  On behalf of the Senate, I extend congratulations and thanks to these 
young women. They are assets to their communities, and their families 
and neighbors should be very proud of their courage and dedication.
  I would also like to recognize the American Automobile Association 
for providing the supplies and training necessary to keep the safety 
patrol on duty nationwide.
  Since the 1920's, AAA clubs across the country have been sponsoring 
student safety patrols to guide and protect younger classmates against 
traffic accidents. Easily recognizable by their fluorescent orange 
safety belt and shoulder strap, safety patrol members represent the 
very best of their schools and communities. Experts credit school 
safety patrol programs with helping to lower the number of traffic 
accidents and fatalities involving young children.
  We owe AAA our gratitude for their tireless efforts to ensure that 
our Nation's children arrive to and from school safe and sound. And we 
owe our thanks to these exceptional young men and women for their 
selfless actions. The discipline and courage they displayed deserves 
the praise and recognition of their schools, their communities and the 
Nation.

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