[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO FLOYD D. HISER, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 1997

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention the fearless and selfless efforts of a dedicated helicopter 
pilot from the city of Blyth, CA. Floyd D. Hiser, 51, recently lost his 
life when his Bell 206L-1 engine stalled while fighting an out-of-
control blaze in the San Bernardino National Forest on July 6, 1997.
  The fire charred over 2,797 acres of trees and brush, and was 
threatening the terrain above the city of Highland, CA. On the scene, 
there were 903 firefighters and officials accompanied by tankers and 
helicopters battling to put out the blaze. Floyd Hiser, a pilot with 
over 10,000 hours of flight time, was flying for Rogers Helicopters of 
Clovis, when he was called to battle the fires in the rugged terrain of 
the San Bernardino Mountains.
  Hiser held commercial, instrument, and instructor ratings for fixed-
winged and rotary-winged aircraft and was an FAA-certified flight 
examiner for prospective helicopter pilots. His commitment to the 
protection and safety of his community did not stop with flying. He 
served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964 to 1968, and was also a 
Vietnam veteran. He also served in the Blyth Police Department as a 
sergeant and detective from 1969 to 1979.
  Hiser is survived by wife, Sharon; his daughter, Kimberly; his 
mother, Ruby Faye; his stepmother, Ruth Wadlow; his brother, Loyld; and 
four grandchildren. After a moving ceremony, his flag-draped coffin was 
carried out of the church by a color guard, the last two members of 
which carried red fire axes to remember his efforts.
  ``Floyd could put the drops on the leaves that he wanted hit,'' said 
one of his many friends. Floyd died doing what he loved most, and what 
he believed in: piloting a helicopter and protecting people from a 
wildland fire.
  Mr. Speaker, Floyd Hiser provided an example of leadership and the 
ultimate level of sacrifice for the benefit of his friends, family, and 
the communities he protected. His efforts will long be respected and 
admired. I ask that you join me, our colleagues, and hundreds of people 
who knew and loved Floyd, and to recognize him for his lifetime 
commitment to the protection and goodwill of the communities he served.

                          ____________________