[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 35 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CHIEF MIKE HARSHBARGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2001

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Mike Harshbarger 
who has retired from the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District after 
more than 31 years of service. Chief Harshbarger started with the 
Bourbonnais Fire Protection District on December 29, 1969 and retired 
on January 1, 2001.
  Much has changed in firefighting since Chief Harshbarger started. 
Firefighting has become more complex and technical. Training levels 
have escalated and technology keeps changing. When the Chief first 
started, all he needed was a coat, gloves, and a pair of boots. Today, 
training is needed to deal with many modern hazards.
  Chief Harshbarger has always subscribed to free thinking and is 
willing to listen to new ideas and suggestions. The Chief ran the fire 
department with the same philosophy as he ran his business, ``Our 
customers, the people of the district, are first and foremost.''
  Chief Harshbarger rose to national recognition for his performance as 
head of the Amtrak rail crossing disaster scene on March 15, 1999. His 
work was chronicled in the August 2000, Readers Digest.
  Chief Harshbarger lives in Bourbonnais Township with his wife Ellie. 
The Chief is the second generation in his family to serve with the fire 
department. His father, Lyle, was a long-time member of the fire 
department. On October 12, 2000, the Kankakee Elks Lodge #627 named the 
Chief ``Citizen of the Year''. No one in the 100 years of the Lodge has 
ever received this award.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to identify and recognize other 
institutions in their own districts whose actions have so greatly 
benefitted and strengthened America's communities.

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