September 11, 2004

ROMNEY PRESENTS ANNUAL SWEENEY AWARD FOR CIVILIAN BRAVERY

On three-year anniversary of 9/11, Governor commends winners for their courage

Governor Mitt Romney today marked the third anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by awarding the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery to two Lowell men who saved a man from suicide and an Auburn man who pulled two survivors from a small plane crash.

“Three years ago today, Amy Sweeney and many others exhibited extraordinary courage in the midst of one of our nation’s most devastating tragedies,” said Romney. “The citizens we recognize today honor the memory of all those whose lives were lost on that tragic morning and those who risk their lives everyday.”

Romney was joined by Michael Sweeney, Amy’s widower, and their children, Jack and Anna, to make the award presentations.

“The 2004 award recipients ignored potential life threatening situations to save the lives of others,” said Mike Sweeney. “As exhibited by these recipients, bravery knows no age limitation. Courage is not something you can learn. It is a special trait, an internal strength that few possess and even fewer are called upon to use.”

The first award was presented to 92-year-old George Kouloheras and Robert Michalczyk, who both hail from Lowell. On March 27, 2004, Michalczyk and Kouloheras observed a man climbing over a bridge railing in an attempt to jump into the fast moving waterway below. The two men left their cars and collaborated to physically remove the suicidal man from the railing and restrain him on the sidewalk.

“I thank the good Lord, that I am 92 years old and I can still save someone else life,” said Kouloheras.

“I would like to thank you for honoring myself and George. What I did was something I would hope anyone else would do to help anyone else in need,” said Michalczyk. “This is a great honor and dedication of a true hero who will not be soon forgotten for her courage on such a sad day as 9-11-01. God Bless America, God Bless all those folks that did not return to their family and friends on a truly tragic day.

The second award was presented to Timothy Paquette of Auburn. On May 27, 2004 a plane carrying two individuals crashed while taking off from Fitchburg Municipal Airport. The plane caught fire with two male victims trapped in the wreckage. Paquette stopped his car, ran to the plane and pulled both critically injured victims from the cockpit to safety as flames consumed the plane. Without Paquette’s quick action, it is unlikely either victim would have survived.

“It’s an honor to be recognized with an award associated with a true hero as Madeline Amy Sweeney,” said Paquette. “I will never consider myself a hero, real heroes put their lives on the line each and everyday, soldiers, police officer, and fire fighter…those are true heroes in my eyes.

The Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery was created in 2002 in honor of Amy Sweeney, an American Airlines flight attendant for 14 years, who died on September 11th in the first plane to hit the World Trade Center in New York City. Before the plane hit the building, Sweeney contacted the airline’s ground services crew to convey critical information about the five hijackers and their fatal actions on the plane that morning.

Like Sweeney, recipients of the award must demonstrate exceptional bravery, without regard for personal safety, in an effort to save the life or lives of another or others.

Earlier in the day, Romney was joined by Jim Ogonowski, brother of John Ogonowski, who was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, and family members of those who lost their lives on September 11th in a flag raising ceremony and national moment of silence on the front lawn of the State House.

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