[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2993-S2994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK,

 Mrs. Boxer. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to 
recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
  In 1981, a 9-1-1 public safety dispatcher from the Contra Costa 
County Sheriff's Office, in my home State of California, first had the 
idea to designate one week each year to honor the work of public safety 
telecommunicators. In 1991, Congress issued a formal proclamation 
acknowledging National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. In 1994, 
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week became a permanent, 
federally designated week, observed annually during the second week of 
April.
  I commend our Nation's public safety telecommunicators, usually the 
first and most critical contact our Nation's

[[Page S2994]]

citizens have when they need emergency services. Over 500,000 9-1-1 
calls are made every day across the country. Telecommunicators provide 
the best emergency assistance they can to each of the callers. People 
depend on the skill, expertise and commitment of telecommunicators who 
help save lives by responding to emergency calls, dispatching emergency 
professionals and equipment and providing support to citizens in 
distress. Telecommunicators also serve as the vital link for our police 
officers, sheriffs and firefighters by providing them with information 
and insuring their safety.
  Public safety telecommunicators have a tremendous responsibility to 
remain calm while handling stressful situations. Amid panic and fear 
from a caller, public safety telecommunicators obtain the necessary 
information, make critical decisions and quickly dispatch the 
assistance that saves lives and property. Although they may be 
anonymous to callers, each of these men and women deserve praise and 
recognition for their hard work, not only during National Public Safety 
Telecommunicators Week but every day.
  I am proud of the heroic work of public safety telecommunicators, and 
I offer my sincerest thanks for their compassion and 
professionalism.

                          ____________________