[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1920-E1921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO EDWARD R. OBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday October 1, 1997

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
before you today to

[[Page E1921]]

pay tribute to Fire Chief Edward R. Oberg of Holden, MA, who is 
retiring after 40 remarkable years fighting fires and protecting our 
families.
  Over the course of his career, Ed Oberg has put the lives of complete 
and total strangers before his own. His entire career epitomizes a 
common hero. He's not on the news, in the papers, or on the radio. Yet, 
his commitment to public safety will not be forgotten.
  Ed began fighting fires in January 1957, and has been rewarded time 
and again for his remarkable service. In December 1970, he was 
appointed lieutenant of the fire department, and only 5 years later he 
was promoted to captain of the department. Three years later, in 1978, 
he was appointed fire chief. He was also a member of numerous 
organizations including the Greater Worcester Fire Chiefs Association, 
where he served a term as president, and the Fire Chiefs Association of 
Massachusetts, on whose board of directors he served for 10 years.
  Mr. Oberg and his wife, Virginia, are the proud parents of three 
children: Steven, Anthony, and Bianca and three grandchildren: Lynn, 
Steven, and Kelley. Ed has served the town of Holden with courage, 
loyalty, and excellence. His service will be sorely missed by those who 
relied on his tireless dedication to the town of Holden.

                          ____________________