[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO J.W. WILDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I pay 
tribute today to senior Colorado State Parks ranger J.W. Wilder, whose 
courageous act of capturing two dangerous fugitives went above and 
beyond the call of duty, and displayed a measure of heroism worthy of 
being brought before this body of Congress. It takes a truly special 
person to put himself in harm's way, not out of duty or obligation, but 
out of simple benevolence and civic responsibility. I, along with the 
citizens of Colorado, am both grateful and proud of J.W.'s 
extraordinary act of valor, and believe it appropriate to pay tribute 
to him for his courage and bravery.
  Though not typically in the job description, J.W.'s extraordinary 
efforts to apprehend two armed killers near Salida, Colorado on 
September 29, 2001 are a testament to his relentless dedication to his 
job, to his community and to his state. After checking on a colleague 
who was manning a roadblock, J.W. became involved in the search for the 
two killers. When the two fugitives were finally flushed from hiding, 
it was J.W., along with other state wildlife employees, who apprehended 
the two suspects, and ultimately brought them into custody. Because of 
his incredible bravery, these criminals are now in the hands of law 
enforcement officials, and of no threat to anyone else in the area. His 
courage in the face of both fear and adversity is truly remarkable, and 
for his efforts, J.W. was named the outstanding ranger of the year by 
the Colorado State Parks.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to rise and pay tribute to a man 
whose actions are the very essence of all that makes this country 
great, and I am deeply honored to be able to bring them to the 
attention of this body of Congress. It is in times of great need that 
true heroes emerge, and I am proud to say J.W. Wilder is a hero not 
only to me, but to his family, his friends and to this country. It is 
with a great deal of pride that I stand to honor him today, and wish 
him at the best in his future endeavors.

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