[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 18 (Thursday, February 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S1275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR JERRY PONTIUS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize Mr. Arthur Jerry Pontius of Deadwood, SD, with a 
Congressional Fire Caucus Certificate of Award. Jerry has served the 
Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, and has been an 
exemplary citizen through his selflessness and dedication to community 
safety and well-being. I am pleased and honored to say that this award 
could not go to a more qualified or deserving person.
  Jerry graduated second in his class from the Deadwood Public High 
School system in 1957, and went on to earn a B.S. in mechanical 
engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. After 
working for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Jerry came home to Deadwood, 
where he eventually became the mechanical engineer for the Homestake 
Mining Company. He stayed with Homestake for 25 years, serving in 
various capacities, most recently as the chief plant engineer. He left 
Homestake in 1990 and retired in 1998.
  Over the years, despite his busy work life, Jerry has found time to 
serve his country and his community in countless ways. He first joined 
the Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department in 1963, and has been an 
integral part of the department ever since. In addition to serving in 
various positions within the department, including fire chief, 
certified instructor, and member of the Board of Trustees, Jerry has 
served as the president of the South Dakota Firemen's Association and 
on the Governor's Commission on Fire Service Training. During his 
tenure as president of the South Dakota Fireman's Association, the 
bylaws were changed to admit women, representing the best of American 
values of social equality. Most recently, Jerry received the 
``Outstanding Service Award for Service as assistant chief during the 
Grizzly Gulch Fire'' in 2002.
  It is hard to imagine someone doing more for his or her community's 
safety during their lifetime. As are so many South Dakotans, I am 
thankful for Jerry's commitment and work to ensure that not only the 
community of Deadwood, but all South Dakota communities are safe and 
secure from fires. It is only fitting that Jerry receive this award, as 
tribute to his incredible contributions to fire safety efforts in South 
Dakota.

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