[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 150 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2215]]



            GRATITUDE TO FORMER CONGRESSMAN J. EDWARD ROUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 1999

  Mr. HILL of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on October 26, the President signed 
into law S. 800, the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 
1999. This bill promotes and enhances public safety through the use of 
9-1-1 as the universal emergency assistance number, furthers deployment 
of wireless 9-1-1 service, and supports states in upgrading 9-1-1 
capabilities and related functions.
  While S. 800 is another advance in the provision of efficient and 
timely emergency services, it would not have been possible without the 
vision and tenacity of a former Member of Congress, J. Edward Roush, 
from Huntington, IN.
  In 1967, as a member of the Subcommittee on Science, Research and 
Development of the former Committee on Science and Astronautics, 
Congressman Roush questioned a representative of the International 
Association of Firefighters during a hearing on the Fire Research and 
Safety Act of 1967. The association noted response time is critical to 
fighting fires. Responding to this comment, Congressman Roush proposed 
establishing a three digit, single, nationwide telephone number for 
reporting fires and other emergencies.
  The subcommittee members thought this was a good idea, but it would 
require a commission to study and review the whole matter. Ed Roush 
would not let an idea that could save so many lives get lost in 
commissions and studies. In that very hearing, he told the subcommittee 
members and guests that he intended to launch a one man crusade to 
establish a national emergency number.
  Ed Roush made good on his promise. To get the Congress' attention, he 
introduced a sense of Congress resolution supporting a single, three 
digit emergency number. He made speeches around the country; visited 
and encouraged police, fire and emergency personnel; and wrote letters 
to local government officials and other Members of Congress.
  AT&T (the only telephone company at the time) argued that dialing 
``0'' for operator was sufficient. But Ed Roush knew the blind, 
elderly, disabled, children, or anyone in an emergency situation, 
deserved an easy and accessible number that would quickly connect them 
to the appropriate emergency responders.
  The Bell system decided it was worth a try. In January, 1968 in 
Congressman Roush's office, AT&T held a news conference announcing it 
would make available a single, three digit emergency number ``911.'' 
Roush's home town of Huntington, IN became the first city in the Bell 
system to establish E-911 service, when Congressman Roush placed the 
first call.
  Yet, local police, fire and other emergency services were hesitant to 
turn over their communications facilities and multiple emergency 
numbers to a single agency and number. Ed Roush patiently undertook a 
national education campaign to alert these agencies and the American 
people to the life-saving possibilities of adopting ``911.''
  The stories began to come in--of fires cut short, lives saved, babies 
delivered, and children learning the 911 number. Over the years ``911'' 
has de facto become the universal emergency telephone number.
  Mr. Speaker, each of us comes to Congress with the hope of improving 
the lives of our constituents. Ed Roush's one man crusade to establish 
a uniform emergency telephone number has saved the lives of countless 
Americans.
  As S. 800 becomes law, we should not forget it was the vision and 
dedication of Congressman Ed Roush of Indiana who put America on the 
path to a universal, emergency assistance number over 30 years ago. And 
for that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.

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