HR1282 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1282 LRB095 20902 GRL 49802 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Denise McCormick on the occasion of receiving the Paramedic Medal of Valor on May 15, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Denise McCormick earned the Paramedic Medal of Valor based upon events occurring on the afternoon of September 17, 2006, when Chicago Fire Ambulance 5 was on route to Christ Hospital in Chicago with a patient in need of trauma care; during the trip, Ambulance 5 was struck by another vehicle, causing the ambulance to spin around, and then flip onto its driver's side; Ms. McCormick was behind the wheel of the ambulance during this tense situation; and

WHEREAS, Following the crash, Denise McCormick suffered numerous injuries; despite her own wounds, however, she managed to free herself from the wreckage and call over the ambulance's radio for help; with the help of an unknown citizen, she entered the rear compartment and freed the other occupants in the ambulance, moving them to a safe location and performing triage; in the process of treating the injured, she noticed that her partner, Charles Reeves, was in serious respiratory distress; Ms. McCormick went to his aid, despite her own injuries, and cleared his airway and used an ambu bag to sustain his breathing until the arrival of Ambulance 1; and

WHEREAS, As a result of the quick thinking and selflessness of paramedic Denise McCormick, no fatalities resulted from this harrowing situation; and

WHEREAS, Denise McCormick is a model of bravery, professional conduct, and compassion for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Denise McCormick on the occasion of receiving the Paramedic Medal of Valor and wish her continued success in her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Denise McCormick as a symbol of our esteem and respect.