[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF RONALD L. GUTSHALL AS CHIEF OF THE RESCUE 
                  FIRE COMPANY NO. 1 IN HARRISBURG, PA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2000

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. 
Ronald L. Gutshall on the announcement of his retirement as Chief of 
the Rescue Fire Company No. 1 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Gutshall has been an esteemed member of the Rescue Fire Company 
No. 1 since 1960. Since then, he has continually, selflessly, and 
honorably served and protected the citizens of Susquehanna Township in 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At the start of Mr. Gutshall's career, he 
immediately began proving his leadership qualities, commanding skills, 
expertise, and willingness to ascend professionally. By 1964 he 
successfully attained the rank of Lieutenant and Assistant Chief. A 
year later, the Rescue Fire Company No. 1 elected Mr. Gutshall to his 
first term as Fire Chief, a truly remarkable accomplishment in such a 
short period of time. Mr. Gutshall remained as Chief from 1970 until 
the announcement of his retirement on January 18, 2000.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Gutshall has not only served and protected 
the citizens of Susquehanna Township from the disastrous forces of 
nature, but also served administratively in the Rescue Fire Company's 
office. Since 1962, Mr. Gutshall has served as Treasurer, in efforts to 
maintain and ensure the future financial security and prosperity of the 
Rescue Fire Company. Mr. Gutshall was also instrumental in the 
acquisition of the Township Fire Tax which helped provide all the 
Township Fire Companies with state of the art fire equipment to sustain 
and assure the protection and safety of the employees.
  Mr. Gutshall has led his career and company with compassion. He 
upholds and preserves the tradition of volunteer service and 
commitment, a vital part of community functions. He instructs and 
educates members in the highest moral and ethical values which is 
proven in their discipline and attitudes. My Gutshall has been a 
tremendous mentor too all those who have worked beside him, a hero to 
those who know him, and teacher to both the fire services and county.
  Mr. Gutshall has served as a leader of the public safety community 
for more than forty years, thirty-one of those years as Chief. He has 
served the members of Rescue Fire Company No. 1, the Edgemont and 
Progress Fire Company, and was instrumental in forming and serving the 
Township's Public Safety Committee since its inception. Susquehanna 
Township is a secure and protected community as a result of Mr. 
Gutshall's prospects in public safety.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all very proud of Mr. Gutshall's accomplishments 
and I would like to extend our sincere congratulations to him and his 
family. We wish him health and happiness in his retirement years.

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