[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO RALPH FRANZEN AND RICHARD PARADIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2007

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize and honor two 
fine volunteers, Ralph Franzen and Richard Paradis, upon their 
retirement after years of service ensuring the health and safety of the 
residents of California on the slopes of the famed and historic Squaw 
Valley Ski Resort.
  Ralph and Richard both served on the Squaw Valley National Ski Patrol 
(SVNSP), an organization of approximately 95 unpaid volunteers who are 
trained in outdoor emergency care, CPR, and winter rescue. They 
combined first aid and skiing skills to serve the ski area and public 
at Squaw Valley USA near Lake Tahoe, California. While on duty at Squaw 
Valley, patrollers are agents of the resort and work under the 
direction of the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Department. Together with the 
paid patrol staff, they are always among the first on the mountain in 
the morning and the last off, regardless of weather or snow conditions.
  The patrollers' primary function is to provide basic life support, 
first aid, rescue, and on-the-slope transportation to injured resort 
guests. Besides first aid and winter rescue duties, volunteer patrol 
members frequently assist with the skier safety program on the two-mile 
long Mountain Run to ensure the general safety of the skiing/
snowboarding public at Squaw Valley.
  Madam Speaker, both of these distinguished gentlemen have spent 35-40 
days a year working as volunteers on the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol, 
providing for the health and safety of the skiers on the mountain. 
Richard Paradis joined the Squaw Valley National Ski Patrol in 1961 and 
Ralph Franzen in 1972. They have provided care for countless injured 
skiers with every level of injury. Over the course of their careers, 
Ralph Franzen and Richard Paradis have received commendations for 
rescuing individuals from life threatening situations and injuries. 
Today, they deserve further recognition upon their retirement.
  Ralph and Richard are outstanding volunteers who have proven 
themselves over the years as certified instructors in first aid, 
outdoor emergency care, toboggan, and rescue equipment usage. These 
gentlemen have dedicated countless hours to training the current 
generation of ski patrol men and women and, as a result, have received 
the admiration and respect of their fellow Ski Patrol members.
  Ralph Franzen and Richard Paradis truly are heroes to the many they 
have helped save and mend over the years. They are outstanding 
representatives of the community who have proven records of commitment 
to public service and their fellow man.
  Thank you, Ralph Franzen and Richard Paradis, for your years of 
dedicated service.

                          ____________________