[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S2902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            MORNING BUSINESS

                                 ______


  SENATE RESOLUTION 78--RECOGNIZING HALEYVILLE, AL, THE BIRTHPLACE OF 
                                ``911''

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, since communication is crucial to acting 
in any emergency, the familiar 911 emergency telephone system has been 
recognized throughout the country as a key factor in fire, police, 
medical, and rescue personnel being able to respond quickly. Often, 
there are only a few precious minutes separating life and death. In 
many cases, quick action means life.
  Back on February 16, 1968, a historic first test call of the 911 
system was made to a red telephone located at the Haleyville, AL, 
police dispatch office, a call that marked the beginning of a service 
that has helped save lives and protect property for 27 years. The call 
was answered by Congressman Tom Bevill. The town's 911 system has been 
in continuous service ever since, longer than anywhere else in the 
Nation.
  Haleyville's telephone switching wiring, which required little 
modification in order to accommodate 911, was the main reason it worked 
here first. Haleyville is located in Winston County, in the northwest 
corner of Alabama.
  Alabamians are justifiably proud of the contribution they have made 
to public safety, and the resolution I introduced commends Haleyville 
for its unique place in the history of the 911 service that we often 
take for granted today.
  I thank my colleagues for their support of this resolution.
  

                          ____________________