[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION AND SERVICE OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE FIRST 
                              AID COUNCIL

 Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
New Jersey State First Aid Council which is holding its 67th annual 
convention from October 5 through October 8.
  The New Jersey State First Aid Council has its roots in Belmar, NJ 
where at the scene of a fire in 1929, Charles Measure, the council's 
founder, saw a badly injured police officer receive only blank stares 
and helpless shrugs from a crowd of onlookers who did not know what to 
do to help staunch the flow of blood. Although someone eventually 
stepped forward and saved the officer's life, the incident convinced 
Measure that there was a need for organized emergency response to such 
crisis situations. From the ashes of that confused and terrifying scene 
arose a new sense of security and purpose in the State, as the New 
Jersey State First Aid Council was born.
  Developing a statewide organization was not easy, but Measure and his 
associates persisted until their idea became reality. In November of 
1931, the eight squads came together to form the first district, and 
the council swung into action. Measure's decision to step forward and 
pioneer this first operation resulted in New Jersey trailblazing a path 
in first aid work in the United States.
  Mr. President, for the last 64 years, the council has served our 
State in countless ways. They have faithfully followed the tenets of 
their original constitution: `` * * * to bring together all first aid 
and safety squads; to organize and promote first aid in a systematic 
manner; to assist all squads in the purchase of supplies and equipment; 
to standardize all equipment, especially inhalators; and to further 
advance first aid instruction in conjunction with the Red Cross.'' Over 
the last six decades, the council's membership has swelled to 448 
squads with over 14,000 members throughout the State. The council has 
also worked to promote community education and awareness regarding 
significant health issues. In recent years, the council has worked 
tirelessly in support of legislation to fund the training of emergency 
medical technicians and in 1992 the First Aid Technician's Act was 
passed. The act assesses $0.50 for every moving motor vehicle violation 
for a fund to pay for training and recertification of EMT's. The 
council has over $4 million in its coffers that will eventually be 
disbursed for training.
  I have often emphasized the inadequacy of relying purely on political 
means to solve problems in our society. Solutions are not to be found 
solely in maintaining alliance to a party, or in voting for a 
particular candidate, but are to be found in the development of a 
strong civic society and in confronting our problems at the community 
and family level. Therefore, I am happy to recognize the New Jersey 
State First Aid Council as an example of the volunteer spirit which I 
believe does more to strengthen our communities than many a bill or 
amendment.
  The volunteers of the New Jersey State First Aid Council display an 
enormous amount of compassion and respect for their fellow human 
beings, as well as a tireless commitment to creating a safer living 
environment in our State. Robert W. Snowfield, president of the 
council, has said that being a volunteer EMT is ``something you must 
possess in your heart and mind.'' This is undoubtedly true, since the 
only reward these volunteers receive at the end of a long day is the 
satisfaction that their sacrifices have helped to make their own 
community a better place to live.
  Mr. President, I applaud the efforts of this dynamic organization and 
its selfless, dedicated members and congratulate them on the occasion 
of their 67th annual convention.

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