Bush Hails NYC Subway Hero During State of Union

President Bush hailed Autrey for his act of bravery three weeks ago in Harlem, when he saw a man fall onto the subway tracks, leapt down to get him, and held the man in a space between the rails as the train roared over them.

"There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey,'' the president said, prompting a long standing ovation from the lawmakers.

The 50-year-old construction worker was joined by his two young daughters, who witnessed their father's death-defying leap and have joined him at public ceremonies honoring him.

Autrey shakes hands with first lady Laura Bush as Lynn Cheney (C), wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, watches during the State of the Union speech on Capitol Hill on Tuesday night. REUTERS/Jason Reed