[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 111 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H7766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING RISING CITY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on the Fourth of July, during a 
celebration to mark the opening of a new volunteer fire station in 
Rising City, Nebraska, I was introduced to two extraordinary volunteer 
firefighters, Mr. Rich Topil and Mr. Don Fish.
  Rising City, like so many rural communities in Nebraska, relies on 
the good efforts of volunteer firefighters to meet their needs for fire 
protection as well as life-saving services. These volunteers act out of 
a sense of dedication and duty to the communities that they serve.
  On Independence Day, the citizens of Rising City recognized Mr. Topil 
and Mr. Fish for having served as volunteer firefighters for an 
unbelievable total of 117 combined years. It was only fitting that 
these two men were honored by the people to whom they have given so 
much.
  Mr. Speaker, Independence Day is when we traditionally celebrate the 
best of America; family, community and country. And Mr. Topil and Mr. 
Fish and the citizens of Rising City, Nebraska, remind us all that 
these values remain very strong and very vibrant.

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