[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 24 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                            WALTER JOHANNSEN

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the 
extraordinary service of Walter ``Bud'' Johannsen and the extraordinary 
dedication he has shown to the Lake George, MN community. It is 
extraordinary in its duration. It is extraordinary in its selflessness. 
And it is a wonderful example of community service at its best.
  Week after week for the past forty years Bud Johannsen has been on 
call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week as a volunteer 
firefighter for the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department, the only 
fire department that services this peaceful north central community and 
its surrounding area. And week after week he has accepted the risks 
inherent in a job of this nature. Week after week. For forty years. 
Voluntarily. Without pay.
  He has done this while maintaining a full-time job, raising a family 
and participating in community affairs. He has done this while 
demonstrating a positive attitude, a wonderful sense of humor and a 
willingness to lend a helping hand wherever and whenever needed.
  That is dedication. That is the American spirit at its best.
  Now I know that Bud Johannsen is not the first individual to ever 
volunteer his time. Nor will he be the last. But when I hear of such a 
milestone, 40 years as a volunteer firefighter, I feel the need to 
recognize and publicly thank that individual for his service, 
especially in light of the events of September 11 when we saw all too 
clearly the sometimes tragic consequences of such courage and 
commitment.
  So today I thank Walter ``Bud'' Johannsen. I thank his wife Kay and 
his daughter Tracy for sharing him with the Lake George community for 
so many years. And I thank all the members of the Lake George Volunteer 
Fire Department for the great work that they do. They are all truly 
inspiring.

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