[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO JOHN EDWARD HUTCHINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM MURPHY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the career of John Edward ``Hutch'' Hutchinson. Hutch has 
served as the Greensburg Fire Chief in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, for 
the past 55 years.
  The position of fire chief in Greensburg is an elected office. Since 
1952, the residents of the community have resoundingly affirmed they 
appreciate Hutch's dedication to the job by reelecting him.
  Since taking office, Hutch has made countless improvements to the 
department. His firefighters are all volunteers, highly trained and 
specialized. Hutch has developed a dive team, a swift water rescue, 
large foam and vent operations, a bloodhound team, and an air rescue 
team.
  In 1997, the Greensburg Fire Department First Responders were 
prepared to handle a large community disaster, including attacks 
involving weapons of mass destruction. Few in 1997 could have seen the 
value in this forward-thinking for a volunteer department, yet it is 
essential knowledge for all firefighters today.
  Under Hutch's leadership, the Greensburg Fire Department has assisted 
with natural disaster response nationwide. From helping rebuild a 
community playground in Alabama to clearing trees off roads in South 
Carolina, Hutch has turned the Greensburg Fire Department into a 
humanitarian outlet.
  Hutch takes his job beyond the walls of the firehouse into the 
community. He established health and fitness centers for the community, 
firefighters, and City employees.
  Hutch has developed burn prevention classes for the local elementary 
and middle schools. He has served on the local hospital board, the 
Greensburg YMCA Board, the aerobics center board, and the camp cadet 
board.
  Though he's been in office for 55 years,
  Hutch has no interest in slowing down. He calls himself ``a young 
kid''--and isn't that a wonderful attitude? Hutch refuses to let his 
age be a factor. He works out twice a day, 7 days a week, to ensure 
that he's not asking his firefighters to do anything he can't do 
himself.
  It is my great honor to recognize the long career of John Edward 
``Hutch'' Hutchinson, a man who has given immeasurable amounts to the 
city of Greensburg, to Pennsylvania, and to our nation during his five 
and a half decades of service as fire chief.

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