[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 70 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONALL STATMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO BILL ELLISON

 Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the life 
of Bill Ellison, a courageous and heroic man from my home State of 
Ohio, who died on March 20, 2001, at the age of 38. Bill was a 
paramedic and firefighter who died of burn injuries he incurred while 
fighting a house fire in Miami Township, OH. I am honored to recognize 
him today for his heroism and his commitment and dedication to his 
local community and State.
  Since 1997, Bill Ellison served as a full-time firefighter for 
Anderson Township, OH, as well as a part-time firefighter for Miami 
Township. He also worked for the Western Joint Ambulance District. Bill 
began dedicating himself to his community early on, when, at age 16, he 
first volunteered for the Melbourne, OH, Fire Department. His 
exceptional commitment to protecting his community deserves our respect 
and thanks.
  On March 8, 2001, Bill left the Miami Township fire station to 
respond to a nearby house fire. Upon learning of a possible victim 
trapped in the house, he joined other firefighters to search for the 
individual. During the search, Bill fell through the first floor of the 
home into the basement, where he was knocked unconscious and sustained 
serious burn injuries. Nearly two weeks after the fire, he passed away 
as a result of these critical injuries.
  Bill's many friends and colleagues often called him ``Doc,'' because 
he was constantly reading medical texts. They will remember ``Doc'' for 
his warm and generous heart and his sense of humor. As the father of 
two daughters, Maryssa and Michaela, and husband to Victoria, Bill 
Ellison and his legacy will live on through his family and his work.
  It is the work of people, like Bill Ellison, that provides us with 
peace of mind, with the knowledge that there are people who we can 
count on in case of an emergency. These individuals, who often make 
grave sacrifices on our behalf, are role models for our communities. I 
cannot adequately emphasize how important their work, and the work of 
Bill Ellison, are to our society.
  Today, I express my deep gratitude to Bill Ellison, his colleagues, 
and his family and friends. He did not die in vain, he died in the line 
of duty to his fellow man. And for that, we will always remember his 
sacrifices and his life with great respect and admiration.

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