BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — On Tuesday, Rep. Kevin McCarthy presented Blaine Hodge with the 2019 Citizen Honors Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Hodge heroically jumped in to save a woman who was being chased by a machete-wielding attacker at a Starbucks in September.
“Fight or flight - we all question what we would do in a frightening situation. But we all wouldn’t wonder what Blaine would do,” said McCarthy. "He acted swiftly and bravely, two qualities that no doubt helped to save the survivor and all of those in the immediate area that day.”
McCarthy also directed to have a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Blaine's honor.
“What I find most impressive about Blaine is his great attitude throughout this whole ordeal - his positivity is infectious. I hope that we never find ourselves in a similar circumstance, but if we do, may we all fight as valiantly as Blaine Hodge, a true hero,” said McCarthy.