State of Vermont
House of Representatives
Montpelier, Vermont
House Resolution
H.R. 56
House resolution honoring Ashley Barrup for her heroism and bravery
Offered by: Representatives Bolduc of Barton, Goodridge of Albany, Hall of Newport City, Kilmartin of Newport
City, Shaw of Derby, Sheltra of Derby and Starr of Troy
Whereas, a hero is a person who is unexpectedly placed in a life-threatening situation and acts quickly to save
others, while risking his or her own life, and
Whereas, Ashley Barrup, age 14, of Derby would never imagine this description would apply to her, and
Whereas, as a prelude to accepting babysitting jobs, she wisely enrolled in a preparatory babysitting safety course
at the local Wellness Center, and
Whereas, little did she realize the importance the course would play in her life and the lives of others, and
Whereas, on Friday, December 28, 2001, she was babysitting the four young Bailey boys, ages seven months to
five years, in a Lowell duplex, and
Whereas, Ashley suddenly awoke from a deep sleep to a house full of smoke, and
Whereas, although the smoke appeared to be originating from the other duplex, Ashley recognized lightening
speed was essential to assure her own and the boys’ safety, and
Whereas, she awakened the three older boys, and successfully overcame the two oldest boys’ resistance to leave,
and
Whereas, after successfully evacuating the five-year-old, Ashley was forced to kick an enflamed door casing,
wearing only socks on her feet, in order to free the three-year-old from the smoky structure, and
Whereas, after directing the two oldest children to run to a nearby car, she twice reentered the increasingly
dangerous home, which was eventually engulfed in flames, to rescue the two youngest children, and
Whereas, her actions following the evacuation, to rush to a neighbor’s home, call E-911, and then immediately
assist the boys in relocating to a safer location, demonstrated Ashley’s keen sense of judgment, maturity and ability to
manage in a crisis, and
Whereas, many 14-year-olds would not have been able to act so competently, and
Whereas, she has been recognized in her community for her outstanding response on the night of the fire, now
therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly is proud to honor Ashley Barrup of Derby for her heroism and bravery, and be it
further
Resolved: That the Assistant Clerk of the House be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Ashley Barrup in
Derby.
____________________________
Speaker of the House
Attested to:
____________________________
www.leg.state.vt.us
James A. Palmisano
First Assistant Clerk
House of Representatives
www.leg.state.vt.us