[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING KERRY G. NEIS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIAN FIREFIGHTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. EVERETT.  Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a hero from 
my congressional district in Alabama who gave his life in the line of 
duty. Kerry G. Neis of Enterprise died last December as a result of an 
accident during a training mission at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
  Neis, a Department of the Army Civilian firefighter stationed at Fort 
Rucker, leaves behind a wife, Katherine, and their daughter, Sarah.
  Neis' dedication to duty has earned him the respect of not only his 
comrades at Fort Rucker and across the Wiregrass, but among his peers 
around the nation. He will be honored along with America's other fallen 
firefighter heroes during the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's 
Memorial Weekend conducted this October 4 and 5 in Washington, DC.
  The following in an excerpt from a tribute to her late husband 
submitted by Katherine Neis for the Memorial Weekend ceremony.

       At 31 years old, Kerry was shockingly taken from us on 
     December 4, 2002 in a tragic accident, when his firetruck 
     jumped out of gear and ran away. No one, not his crew, his 
     captain, or fellow firefighters could have expected it, and 
     it was over before any of them even knew what had happened. 
     But even in death, Kerry's life of service and dreams of 
     helping others in need continue. New training procedures have 
     been implemented and new safety mechanisms have been 
     installed on the trucks. Kerry is still working hard to 
     ensure the happiness and security of us all.

  On behalf of this House, I offer my condolences to Kerry Neis' family 
as we remember the life and sacrifice of one of America's heroes.

                          ____________________