[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Honor of National Public 
Safety Telecommunicators Week. Each year, the second week of April is 
dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety 
telecommunicators.
  Telecommunicators are civilians across this country who provide the 
vital link between the public and emergency service responders, be they 
police, fire or EMS. They provide the radio, telephone, computer and 
other communication services that save lives and keep our communities 
safe and secure. Too often, the importance of this job and the 
contribution these individuals make go unnoticed.
  Today, I would like to recognize and thank the telecommunicators who 
serve the 20th District of Illinois. They are: Karen Giese, Lora 
Furlong, Michelle Tarvin, Teri Roado, Nancy Pohlman, Sarah Richey, 
DeAnna Fare, Lora C. Furlong, Robert I. Castens, Lillian I. Rutherford, 
Tammy S. Giacomelli, and Sherri M. Deeder.
  Mr. Speaker. I extend my deepest appreciation to these and all 
telecommunicators for talking distressed callers through CPR, calming 
hysterical crime victims, and making the difficult decisions using 
limited information to save lives and reduce property damage on a daily 
basis.

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