[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RICHARD GIMBL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise in honor 
of an American hero and one of the bravest firemen that Long Island has 
ever known, Mr. Richard Gimbl, Chief of the Holbrook Fire Department.
  It is a tremendous privilege for me to inform the House that Chief 
Gimbl was recently selected by the great State of New York as its 2006 
``Fireman of the Year.'' This award is the most recent of a long and 
highly prestigious list of decorations bestowed upon Chief Gimbl 
throughout a remarkably distinguished career exemplified by valor, 
sacrifice and selfless dedication to his fellow firemen and on behalf 
of a grateful community that he served and protected for 36 years.
  Mr. Speaker, Chief Gimbl has answered the call time and again. He was 
dispatched to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to help with the 
relief and recovery from the violent hurricanes of the late 1980s. As 
part of a FEMA relief unit, he responded to the Oklahoma City bombing 
in 1995. And he was there at Ground Zero on September 11th when the 
World Trade Center and so many of our bravest firemen fell.
  At a time in our Nation's history when the ever-present threat of 
terrorism and natural disasters continue to imperil our safety and 
security here at home, we need and are deeply grateful for heroes like 
Chief Gimbl, who set the bar for a higher standard of commitment and 
bravery consistently demonstrated by our first responders, and who 
comfort us each day by the blanket of security they provide at the 
expense of tremendous sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, as Chief Gimbl recovers from injuries sustained in the 
line of duty last year, we join with his family, fellow firefighters at 
the Holbrook FD, and the entire Long Island community in expressing our 
sincere best wishes for a full and speedy recovery and to assure each 
of them that he will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

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