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Organizations whose mission includes teaching lifesaving techniques such as CPR and First Aid are honoring Illinois State President Emil Jones Jr. today for saving the life of a Peoria woman last fall. On November 19, 2003, while dining at a Springfield restaurant, President Jones came across Paula Nachtrieb choking on a piece of steak. President Jones then took action by performing the Heimlich maneuver on Nachtrieb, saving her life.

The Save A Life Foundation, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and the National Safety Council are paying tribute to President Jones and presenting him with a "Lifesaver" award for his brave and immediate response.

Carol Spizzirri, President and Founder of Save A Life Foundation, is delighted about presenting this award to President Jones.  According to Spizzirri, "President Jones has been a supporter of Save A Life Foundation since first time we met in Springfield in 1993.  Because of the help of state officials such as President Jones, Save A Life Foundation has been able to train nearly 1,000,000 children in Illinois alone, with valuable Life Supporting First Aid Skills (LSFA) such as the Abdominal thrust (Heimlich maneuver)."

"President Jones stands as a great role model for all of us," said Dr. Joni Clark, the President of the American Heart Association's Springfield Metropolitan Board of Directors.  "His action will likely inspire others to become trained in using the Heimlich maneuver so that more lives may be saved."

According to the National Safety Council, the Abdominal thrust (Heimlich maneuver) is taught as an integral part of all of their Basic Life Support programs. It has saved an untold number of lives although it is believed that most of the lives that are saved go unreported. The National Safety Council is pleased to participate in the recognition of the life that State Senate President Emil Jones saved by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

"The American Red Cross is also proud to honor Senate President Emil Jones for this outstanding act of personal heroism. Because Senator Jones was properly trained, he was able to save a life and we encourage all Illinoisans to do the same" said American Red Cross of Greater Chicago CEO Bill Braden.