[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JIM PRUTZMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 1996

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding 
citizen of Illinois' 14th Congressional District, Mr. Jim Prutzman of 
West Chicago.
  A Navy veteran of World War II, Jim Prutzman has been a successful 
businessman in his hometown and has served his community as a past-
commander of American Legion Post No. 300 and as a past president of 
the West Chicago Chamber of Commerce. While these activities alone are 
worthy of honor, though, I rise today to honor Jim for his decades of 
work with the West Chicago Fire Department.
  Jim Prutzman began his work with the West Chicago Fire Protection 
District in 1959, as a paid on-call firefighter. In 1971, Jim was 
appointed to the fire district's board of trustees and elected 
treasurer. Shortly after his appointment, the West Chicago fire 
district hired its first full-time firefighters in 1972, which also 
resulted in the formation of the municipal ambulance service. Jim 
Prutzman was elected president of the fire district board in 1981, 
serving in that capacity for the next 14 years, and retired from his 
duty with the fire district just a few short weeks ago.
  In his 37 years with the West Chicago Fire Protection District, the 
department has grown from a few paid on-call firemen to today's 3 fire 
stations, 22 full-time employees, 14 on-call firefighters, and 9 
paramedics. Jim has been actively involved in that growth, and the 
people of West Chicago are better protected today because of his 
efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring this 
dedicated man, for his commitment and service to the West Chicago 
community. I join the citizens of West Chicago in congratulating Jim on 
his well-deserved retirement from the fire protection district, and 
wish him all the best for the future.

                          ____________________