2004/04/27 City Council Resolution (15)RESOLUTION NO. 2004- 98
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
Honoring and Recognizing
JOSIAH "JOE" OUELLETTE
FOR HIS COURAGE IN THE FACE OF GRAVE DANGER
AS HE SAVED THE LIVES OF JEN GOODMAN AND TANI SANCHEZ
WHEREAS, it was an ill -fated morning in July, 2003 when a few teenage friends and one parent stopped at a beach near Laguna Seca
after leaving a Christian music conference; and
WHEREAS, they waded into the surf and were soon pulled far out to sea by roller waves where they could no longer touch bottom; and
WHEREAS, one of the group, Rancho Cotate student Josiah "Joe" Ouellette, swam to shore then realized that his friends were not strong
enough to swim against the current and would soon drown; and
WHEREAS, without a moment's hesitation, Joe jumped back into the dark waters and pulled friend Tani Sanchez to safety, then risked
his life a second time and returned for friend Jen Goodman,
WHEREAS, Joe's statements: "there was no time to be afraid, I wasn't going to let them die, my friends' lives are more important than
mine, and I'd "rather be known as a friend than a hero" vividly describe the character of this young man.
WHEREAS, Joe will be given a Hero's award April 28th by the Sonoma County Chapter of the American Red Cross and be a guest of the
Red Cross' Real Heroes breakfast,
1 �L..3i�
FLORES: AYE MACKENZIE: AY
VIDAK- MARTINEZ: AYE NO.
AYES: (5) NOES: (0) ABSENT: (0)