Iowa State Representative Kerry Burt (D-Waterloo) was “in the right place at the right time,” according to a grateful Sue Jennings, a state employee who began to choke on her sandwich in the Capitol cafeteria on Thursday. Rep. Burt recognized that the employee was in distress and used the Heimlich maneuver to clear Ms. Jennings’ airways – just another reason why Rep. Burt is a good person to have around:

Burt, who's served on Waterloo Fire Rescue for the past 12 years, has used the Heimlich maneuver before. He described the latest situation as a textbook case.

"It was not out of the ordinary, per se, for me to notice that and then just react accordingly," Burt said.

Those watching the scene in the cafeteria area applauded the happy ending.

"I wasn't embarrassed at the time, because I just wanted to breathe," Jennings said. "But you know, now I kind of am, but it's better than the alternative."

Thankfully, Rep. Burt was able to act quickly, and Ms. Jennings was not seriously injured in the accident.