HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 111 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Commending Elizabeth Breeden Kelley. ---------- Patron-- Hargrove ----------

WHEREAS, Elizabeth Breeden Kelley of Mechanicsville, a 13 year old student at Chickahominy Middle School,  was recognized for her heroism in aiding a Tennessee man whom she found drowning in the ocean at Duck, North Carolina, on June 23, 2002; and

WHEREAS, while on vacation with her family, Breeden Kelley was enjoying the waves body surfing when she noticed a man floating facedown in the ocean; and

WHEREAS, Breeden Kelley quickly came to the aid of the man who had apparently struck his head rendering him unconscious; and

WHEREAS, a swimming champion at Burkwood Aquatics Club, Breeden Kelley immediately began calling for help and maneuvering the 250-pound man to shore, holding his head above water, while the waves crashed down on them; and

WHEREAS, her grandfather and six other people along the shore saw Breeden Kelley frantically struggling to save the unconscious man and ran to help her lift his body safely onto the beach; and

WHEREAS, while Breeden Kelley nervously looked on, her grandfather administered CPR until the rescue squad took over and rushed him to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, Breeden Kelley prayed for the man's recovery and had her mother check on him every day; after a week, he finally regained consciousness and slowly began to recover from the ordeal; and

WHEREAS, along with the sincere appreciation of the gentleman from Nashville, Tennessee, and his entire family, Breeden Kelley has received several awards for her bravery in saving the life of a fellow citizen; and

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2002, Breeden Kelley appeared on The John Walsh Show and was celebrated as a Hometown Hero for her valiant rescue; and

WHEREAS, on March 20, 2003, Breeden Kelley was one of five recipients honored with the American Red Cross' Certificate of Merit, its highest lifesaving award "for saving or sustaining a life as a direct result of Red Cross Training," which was signed by President George W. Bush; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Elizabeth Breeden Kelley for her selflessness and courage in a dire emergency; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Elizabeth Breeden Kelley as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for her heroism.