[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 141 (Monday, October 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10833-S10834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RICHARD JOHNSON: 43 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, it is my privilege today to honor Richard 
Johnson of Baltic, SD. Richard recently retired after 43 years of 
service in the Baltic Fire Department--half of the department's 86 
years of existence. His friends describe him as a man who can always be 
relied upon and who never failed to answer the call when an emergency 
struck his community.
  Nearly 20 years ago, a grain elevator exploded in this quiet town in 
southeastern South Dakota, tragically killing two people, and starting 
a furious blaze that could be seen for miles. Richard, an assistant 
manager at the elevator, was the first firefighter on the scene. 
Fighting large fires is a particular challenge in rural South Dakota, 
where fire departments depend upon teams of volunteers and often lack 
adequate supplies of water. On this day, firefighters were called in 
from all over the region and a pump truck was brought from Sioux Falls 
to draw water from the Big Sioux River. Together, they worked 
throughout the afternoon to bring the blaze under control before 
finally extinguishing it. For all of that long, exhausting afternoon, 
and for the 3 days of cleanup that followed, Richard was there.
  These days tell us a lot about Richard. Quiet and reserved, he never 
asked for the spotlight, but for 43 years he was always there when he 
was needed. After all his long years of service, it is an honor to 
recognize his accomplishments before the Senate. Mr. President, 
September 26 was declared Richard Johnson Day in Baltic, and he was 
named parade marshal for the Baltic Homecoming Parade held that same 
day. As part of the celebration, 14 of the 18 fire chiefs Richard 
served under during those 43 years came to honor him--a testament to 
the respect Richard earned during his years with the department.
  I wish Richard the best as he begins his retirement, and hope that he 
has many happy years together with his friends and his family.

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