[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 7 (Thursday, January 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING HAROLD C. HILL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE FERGUSON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 17, 2008

  Mr. FERGUSON. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to announce that I recently 
honored Harold C. Hill of the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad with the top 
award at the First Annual Volunteer Awards Breakfast, which I held in 
Bridgewater, NJ, November 29, 2007.
  Offering one's time and energy to help others and make a difference 
is what being a member of a community is all about, and I created this 
event and award to recognize the importance of volunteering in our 
society. In preparation for the event, I contacted numerous volunteer 
organizations in New Jersey's Seventh District--which includes portions 
of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties--and asked them to 
nominate an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the 
community.
  I was thrilled to see the number of nominations we received. Any of 
our nominees are worthy of recognition, and my staff and I were faced 
with the difficult task of selecting a recipient of our top award.
  In the end, we found Mr. Hill to be the most notable of the many 
outstanding candidates, and I am sure anyone who knows him and is 
familiar with his dedication to his community was not surprised. He was 
born and raised in Scotch Plains, NJ, and has served for 50 years as a 
member of the town's rescue squad, an all-volunteer organization that 
serves and protects more than 25,000 residents.
  Records indicate that during his service, Mr. Hill has answered more 
than 12,300 calls for assistance to the residents, businesses and 
visitors of Scotch Plains, and he still actively rides as an emergency 
medical technician answering more than 250 calls a year. He also has 
been instrumental in assisting the squad in maintaining and upgrading 
ambulances and equipment, and is an exemplary role model to other 
members of the squad.
  As devoted as he has been to serving his community, perhaps Mr. 
Hill's most impressive service was to his country. He is an American 
hero who served honorably in the Korean war, was twice wounded and was 
decorated with the Purple Heart.
  It is with great pride that I thank and congratulate all of our 
nominees for their service and recognize Harold Hill for his 
exceptional commitment to others.

                          ____________________