[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2068-E2069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING CITIZENS OF OTIS, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2004

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
selfless efforts of the citizens of Otis, Kansas in their work to keep 
ambulance service available to their community.
  A little more than two months ago, this community's emergency medical 
service was in danger of closing due to a lack of emergency medical 
technicians. After more than 30 years, Otis and the surrounding area 
was looking at the unfortunate reality of having no local ambulance 
service. This loss could have been devastating to this community of 325 
people. The response time for an ambulance run in Otis is five to eight 
minutes. Ambulance response time from the next closest community, which 
is 15 miles away, would have been a minimum of 20 minutes. In rural 
America, having access to local ambulance service can mean the 
difference between life and death.
  Fortunately, six individuals saw the effect this would have on their 
community and stepped forward to help. These individuals are taking EMT 
training and will volunteer their time to keep the Otis EMS alive. 
After seeing the outpouring of support, two other former volunteers 
also agreed to return to the service. In addition, two new volunteers--
a registered nurse and an EMT--have made themselves available to go on 
ambulance runs when needed.
  Because of the following individuals, the Otis EMS will remain open: 
Bruce Adamson; Mary Adamson; Jerry Dirks; Marsha Hinds; Mike Sharkey; 
Tara Stieben; Mike Bahr; Teri Bahr; Mark Brack; Candace Demory; 
Margaret Gary; Shane Konzem; Shayla Koochel; Virginia Landers; Karen 
Maier; Roger Mohr; Robert Newton; Eric Royer; Everett Royer; Ellen 
Schriner; Kent Schriner; James Sheldon; Bruce Swob; Mandy Urban; Don 
Weide.

[[Page E2069]]

  Thanks to their team effort, this close-knit community will continue 
to have that lifeline to the health care services they need. Everett 
Royer, a current EMS volunteer, noted, ``it gives us a little bit of 
hope.''
  All across the state of Kansas are stories just like this one. Of 
neighbors helping neighbors, not because they have to, but because they 
want to. Because it's. the right thing to do. Their efforts deserve our 
support and recognition.
  Citizens throughout the First Congressional District of Kansas are 
working together to enhance the quality of life in their communities. 
Preservation of the Otis EMS is a success story that gives all of us in 
rural America ``a little bit of hope.''

                          ____________________