For Release: Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Contact: Frank Miles: (618) 233-8026

US CONGRESSMAN JERRY COSTELLO PRESENTS RECORD STATEMENT TO SEPTEMBER 11th HERO

Belleville, IL -- On Wednesday, October 16, 2002 U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) presented Major James G. Cusic III of Fairview Heights, Illinois with a Congressional Record Statement honoring Colonel Cusic's heroic service during the terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. during a short ceremony at his Belleville District office.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Cusic was watching the news of the attacks on the World Trade Center in his Pentagon office when he felt the floor begin to shake. The television reported that a third plane had now struck the Pentagon office building in Washington. Cusic said the order was given to immediately evacuate the building. Major Cusic, upon hearing that another plane was on it's way, helped clear all the rooms in his area and made sure all were exiting the building. He then assisted 5 of 65 patients that were being treated at the Air Force Tri-age site just outside the Pentagon building.

He volunteered to re-enter the building as one of five leaders of a 20-person team to provide medical treatment for survivors. He provided treatment for life threatening injuries to several people. Cusic also assisted a firefighter who entered the building as part of the rescue effort and helped treat them for heat exhaustion.

Costello said in the statement, that has become part of the permanant record of the U.S. House of Representatives that "Major Cusic should be commended for his actions that day in the face of extreme adversity. He was directly involved in saving three lives and in caring for two more people with severe injuries. He also provided invaluable encouragement to other survivors and those involved in the rescue effort."

Cusic has since retired from the military and now works with the American Red Cross in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

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