[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK

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                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 2008

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, April 13-19 is National Public Safety 
Telecommunications Week--a week dedicated to public-safety 
telecommunicators who handle millions of calls every year with great 
efficiency. The selfless nature with which these public servants do 
their jobs is truly one of a kind. Since 1991, Congress has recognized 
their work. It gives me great pleasure to honor and personally say 
`thank-you,' to the many men and women in my district and across 
Washington State that provide this valuable service to our communities 
each and every day.
  As the former Sheriff of King County in Washington State, I worked 
alongside the men and women in our communications center, depending on 
them daily to provide me with the correct information in order to 
safely carry out my duties and keep our communities safe. I will never 
forget the great lengths the men and women at our communications center 
took to be sure I was okay after a head-on collision in 1991, and the 
care and compassion they showed me. After the collision, I was able to 
get out of my car and check on the others involved in the accident. I 
left my portable radio behind in the patrol car, not knowing that the 
men and women at the communications center were nearly in tears and 
beside themselves with worry, wondering if I was safe. It is a 
difficult and sometimes emotional duty they perform, not always knowing 
what's happening on the other end of the line because they can't see 
what's going on but can hear the cries for help and the commotion and 
confusion of the scene. I cannot adequately express how much it meant 
to me, knowing they cared so much about my well-being. The men and 
women at our communications centers are truly heroes to the law 
enforcement officers and citizens they serve.
  A former Chief of Police in Colorado once wrote that dispatchers must 
possess, among other things, the humor of David Letterman, the 
endurance of the Energizer Bunny and the patience of Job. It is not 
often that such traits are found in one person. However, in my 
experience, to find such a person one need look no further than the 
telecommunications section of a local police, fire or Sheriff's office. 
These men and women work tirelessly with the heart of a servant; always 
ensuring the needs of the callers and the first responders they 
dispatch are met and placing their security above all else.
  I encourage all my friends, colleagues, and neighbors to take a 
moment during this week to thank a telecommunications dispatcher--let 
them know their service is appreciated and encourage them to continue 
providing guidance and help to their fellow citizens when they're most 
in need.

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