July 30, 2011

Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives hailing the heroism of Dean and Diane Petitpren, individuals who helped save the life of a New York pilot who crashed into Lake Huron. Miller said the following: "Mr. Speaker, I'm going to tell a story that just happened this past week which I think is a vivid display of the human spirit and heroism. There's a fellow named Michael Trapp who had a very lucky week. He was flying his Cessna airplane from his home in New York over to Wisconsin and unfortunately had engine problems; the radio air traffic control lost contact with him and he crashed his airplane in Lake Huron. "Now I represent a district in Michigan, if you think of the Mitten. This fellow unfortunately or fortunately crashed his airplane right off the tip of the Thumb. The U.S. Coast Guard was having a full search-and-rescue and the Air and Marine Division was out there looking for him. A day went by; the night went by and couldn't find this fellow. And some very good friends of mine, Dean and Diane Petitpren were out boating, and Diane Petitpren sees a fellow waving his sock in the middle of Lake Huron. They saved that man's life. I just think that with everything happening in Washington here this week, it is good for us to take a moment and think about the human spirit and the people that have charitable and caring hearts." ###