[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          PAYING TRIBUTE TO: LA PLATA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize the La Plata County Sheriff's Office for their service and 
dedication during one of Colorado's most formidable fire seasons. Last 
summer, the LPCSO played an integral role in containing the Missionary 
Ridge forest fire that burned over 70,000 acres in Southwestern 
Colorado. Today, I would like to pay tribute to their heroic efforts 
before this body of Congress and this nation.
  When the Missionary Ridge fire first erupted last June, the citizens 
of Durango, Bayfield and the surrounding communities called upon the La 
Plata County Sheriff's Office to protect their loved ones, homes, and 
communities from what would become the worst fire in area history. The 
fire began in a ditch beside Missionary Ridge Road, just 15 miles 
northeast of Durango, and grew to consume more than 70,000 acres, 56 
residences, and 27 outbuildings.
  Although the Missionary Ridge fire was a devastating reminder of how 
destructive forest fires can be, it also served to remind us of the men 
and women who risk their lives to protect their fellow citizens on a 
daily basis. The roots of the La Plata County Sheriff's Office reach 
back to 1871, when Sheriff Joseph W. Wallace was solely responsible for 
law enforcement in the county. Today, the Sheriff's Office has 100 
employees under the supervision of Sheriff Duke Schirard. During the 
Missionary Ridge Fire, the La Plata County Sheriff's Office turned 
their resources to numerous emergency activities that include alerting 
citizens and evacuating them from threatened roadways and properties, 
assisting the coordination of emergency services, and acting as real-
time fire spotters. The LPCSO maintained traffic control for a 40-mile 
section along the fire's perimeter. Their personnel brought food and 
supplies to firefighters on the fire line and provided personnel to man 
checkpoints and fire lines. The over 2000 hours of overtime logged by 
the LPCSO illustrate the dedication and readiness with which these men 
and women serve the citizens of La Plata County.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with sincere admiration that I recognize the La 
Plata County Sheriff's Office before this body of Congress and this 
nation. I want to commend all of the employees of the La Plata County 
Sheriff's Office for their determination, courage, and resolve during 
last summer's efforts on Missionary Ridge. Without the help of the La 
Plata County Sheriff's Office and others, the added devastation to our 
community, environment, and quality of life would have been 
unimaginable. Their tireless commitment throughout the summer's 
exhaustive fire season has served as an inspiration to us all, and it 
is an honor to represent such an outstanding group of Americans in this 
Congress.

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