S*0254 Concurrent Resolution, By Martin and Alexander
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND JAMES VERDIN "JAMIE" HUGHES OF PICKENS FOR
 HIS OUTSTANDING COURAGE, SELFLESSNESS, AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS DEMONSTRATED
 WHEN HE SAVED NATALIE BADNARUK FROM HER BURNING HOME ON JANUARY 19, 2003.

   01/22/03  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-11
   01/22/03  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-26

TO COMMEND JAMES VERDIN "JAMIE" HUGHES OF PICKENS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING COURAGE, SELFLESSNESS, AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS DEMONSTRATED WHEN HE SAVED NATALIE BADNARUK FROM HER BURNING HOME ON JANUARY 19, 2003.

Whereas, James Verdin "Jamie" Hughes is a Pickens High School junior and the son of Randy and Peggy Hughes; and

Whereas, on the afternoon of Sunday, January 19, 2003, Jamie left home to drop his sister off at church volleyball practice. While traveling down Fox Squirrel Circle Road in Pickens, Jamie noticed smoke billowing from a garage; and

Whereas, Jamie turned his pickup truck around and headed toward the scene. When he arrived, he saw Mr. Jaroslaw Badnaruk standing in the front yard; and

Whereas, Mr. Badnaruk's car had caught fire in the garage and flames had spread to the rest of the house. His wife, Natalie Badnaruk, had gone back inside to retrieve personal items; and

Whereas, disregarding his own personal safety, Jamie went into the house to search for Mrs. Badnaruk. After entering the house, he eventually bumped into Mrs. Badnaruk in a smoky hallway. He gently picked her up and carried her safely from the burning home; and

Whereas, more than sixty firefighters from four different departments were necessary to contain the blaze; and

Whereas, Jamie's father, Randy Hughes, a volunteer firefighter for six years, has expressed his deepest pride in his son's actions; and

Whereas, Jamie Hughes has demonstrated outstanding courage, selflessness, and concern for others far beyond his years. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, wish to commend James Verdin "Jamie" Hughes of Pickens for his outstanding courage, selflessness, and concern for others demonstrated when he saved Natalie Badnaruk from her burning home on January 19, 2003.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to James Verdin Hughes.