[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize National 
Emergency Medical Services Week and the heroic and courageous work our 
emergency medical service providers perform everyday.
  As an author of the Emergency Medical Services Efficiency Act, I have 
had the opportunity to meet with many EMS providers both in Minnesota 
and Washington to hear firsthand the problems they face every day--and 
their suggestions on how those problems can be resolved. The meetings 
were constructive, and we identified specific areas of concern and ways 
in which Congress can address them. I hope that the Emergency Medical 
Services Efficiency Act will serve as a blueprint for helping these 
dedicated public servants make the system more efficient.
  Mr. President, emergency medical services have come a long way since 
the 1860's when the first civilian ambulance service was begun in 
Cincinnati and New York City. Now we have sophisticated medical 
equipment on ambulances around the country, and the American people 
have come to rely on the readiness, efficiency, and quick response of 
the EMS system. Yet many Americans--including Members of Congress--take 
these crucial services for granted.
  Mr. President, I have a great admiration and respect for those who 
dedicate their time and talents to the emergency care profession, 
whether as a career or through volunteering. It's a field that offers a 
great many rewards. And yet along with those rewards often come great 
challenges. EMS professionals are often thrust into dangerous 
situations--situations that set their profession apart from most any 
other 9-to-5 job. It's a difficult, sometimes terrifying time to be 
part of the public health and safety professions.
  I'm reminded of a frightening example of the terrors EMS 
professionals face that happened here in Washington just 5 months ago 
when a paramedic team was attacked by a gunman. Emergency workers were 
transporting a shooting victim to the hospital when the gunman stormed 
the ambulance, killing the victim and wounding one of the paramedics. 
That followed another violent incident just a month earlier, when a man 
who had been shot was stalked by his attacker to the hospital and was 
fatally wounded as he sought treatment.
  Despite these risks, there are many thousands of Americans who serve 
their communities with determination and compassion as paramedics and 
emergency medical service personnel. Last night, they honored those who 
exemplify the best of their profession as ``Stars of Life.'' I was 
asked to speak to their group, but was unable to attend due to the 
Budget Committee's markup of the fiscal year 1998 budget resolution. I 
was disappointed I could not attend so I wanted to take the time to 
recognize their achievements on the Senate floor today.

  Mr. President, at this time I ask that the names of this year's 
``Stars of Life'' be printed in the Record following my remarks.
  Far too often, Washington fails to respond to pressing concerns until 
they become a crisis. We cannot wait for a crisis to occur before we 
respond to the needs of our emergency medical system.
  It's ironic that we expect so much from our EMS providers and yet, 
when they seek assistance, we continue to ignore their 9-1-1 call for 
help. In recognizing and celebrating National EMS Week, we should all 
take the time to congratulate the ``Stars of Life,'' and their 
colleagues, who receive no special recognition and yet answer every 
call, every day, because they have chosen to serve.
  The names follow:

                     Stars of Life Recipients 1997

       Irene Acquisto, NY.
       Mike (Dewey) Albritton, MS.
       Josh Alger, MI.
       Thomas Anderson, CT.
       Jim Bard, OR.
       Robert Barmore, KY.
       Sue Beals, ME.
       Trish Beckwith, NV.
       Walter Bedward, NJ.
       Jeffrey Blank, WA.
       Charles Blattner, CA.
       Andy Bowersox, IN.
       Terry Bracy, AR.
       Ken Bradford, CA.
       Tim Braithwaite, SD.
       Bernie Callahan, PA.
       Marty Carlson, OR.
       Bryan Clark, GA.
       Mike Coburn, NV.
       Keith Cooper, PA.
       David Curran, RI.
       Virginia Davis, CA.
       Vito DePietro, PA.
       Jeffrey DeVine, MA.
       George Drum, AZ.
       Dave Elle, OR.
       David Ellis, MO.
       Linda Emery, OH.
       Clarence Ervin, MI.
       Ramona Fincher, LA.
       Wayne Gilbert, MA.
       Tom Gottschalk, MI.
       Dave Green, NY.
       Robert Gregory, CT.
       Julian Guerrero, TX.
       Marlene Guillory, LA.
       David Hahn, IL.
       Paul Haynie, CA.
       Margaret Heckmann, IL.
       Leigh Hennig, NY.
       Victor Hoffer, OR.
       Lynda Hoffman, NY.
       Gregory Hogan, MA.
       Dennis Hogges, GA.
       Sharon Houghton, MO.
       Shane Husted, MI.
       Christopher Imm, NY.
       Brent James, NE.
       Charles Jarmon, CT.
       Wilson Jean, FL.
       Leonard Joseph, NY.
       Shelly Kaczynski, MI.
       James Lanier, FL.
       Tony Lee, MA.
       Carl Lind, AZ.
       Thomas Lindgren, MA.
       William Lindsay, OK.
       Alvin Lynn, VA.
       Tonia Mack, MA.
       Steve Madrid, AZ.
       Quijuan Maloof, CA.
       Michael Mangan, MD.
       Kerry Mariano, PA.
       Donald Marsh, MI.
       Greg Martino, CO.
       Vicky McClanahan, TN.
       Ed (Hunter) McKeever, CO.
       Chris Mixon, LA.
       Edward Moser, NY.
       Jim Neal, ME.
       Rella Neal, ME.
       Keith Overcash, NC.
       Cheryl Pasquarella, MN.
       Thinh Pham, LA.
       Ron Piel, FL.
       John Piombo, FL.
       Maye Pittman, CA.
       Suzanne Pluskett, CA.
       Judy Rains, VA.
       Richie Ray, TX.
       John Rivas, FL.
       Jodi Roberts, OK.
       Stephen Roberts Jr., TN.
       Earl Ruberts, NJ.
       Todd Sadler, OH.
       Orlando Segarra, FL.
       Mia Shelton, NY.
       Penny Shuler, GA.
       Todd Sims, NC.
       Randy Sizelove, IN.
       Mary Sloan, GA.
       Carroll Smeltzer, AR.
       Brent (Michael) Smith, TX.
       Robert L. Smith Jr., NC.
       John Sotero, CT.
       Todd Stockford, MI.
       Regina Stoneham, TX.
       Matt Syverson, AZ.
       Steve Thurman, PA.
       Linda Tracey, NY.
       Kevin Waddington, CO.
       Beth Wally, NC.
       Greg Ware, LA.
       Courtney Williamson, GA.
       Kevin Winte, CA.
       Bill (Ronald) Wright, DE.
       Destry Young, TN.

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