[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1228-E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE SERVICE OF THE FIRE AND RESCUE WORKERS OF McDOWELL COUNTY, 
                             NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the exemplary 
service of the fire and rescue workers of McDowell County, North 
Carolina, who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our families and 
homes. I specially want to offer tribute to the fire and rescue 
workers, many of which are volunteers, who have been honored with 
awards from the McDowell Fire and Rescue Association.
  Since colonial times predating the birth of the nation, volunteer 
groups have banded together to form brigades to protect towns and 
cities from fire and other types of devastation. Benjamin Franklin, one 
of this nation's founders, was also responsible for the creation of the 
first volunteer fire department in Philadelphia in 1735.

[[Page E1229]]

  Since that date millions of Americans, driven by a deep sense of 
responsibility and compassion for their neighbors, have risked their 
lives on a daily basis to ensure the safety of others. Currently, over 
a million Americans serve their communities as fire fighters.
  I would like to specifically honor the following individuals who have 
been named Firefighters and Rescue Persons of the Year by the McDowell 
Fire and Rescue Assocation: for the Ashford North Cove Fire Department, 
Thomas Swofford; for the Crooked Creek Fire Department, Glen Anderson; 
for the Dysartsville Fire Department, Billy Driggers; for the Glenwood 
Fire Department, Ryan Spencer and Curtis Grant; for the Hankins North 
Fork Fire Department, Charles Parker; for the Marion Fire Department, 
Amy Hudgins; for the Nebo Fire Department, Alan Snypes; for the Old 
Fort Fire Department, Nick Stafford; for the P.G. Fire Department, 
Bradley Wyatt; for the Sugar Hill Montford Cove Fire Department, David 
Patton; for the Woodlawn Fire Department, Lucas Davis; for the McDowell 
County Rescue Squad, Randy Freeman.
  I want to offer tribute to the following First Responders of the 
Year: for the Ashford North Cove Fire Department, Bradley Washburn; for 
the Crooked Creek Fire Department, Kirk Lunsford; for the Dysartsville 
Fire Department, Jeff Walker; for the Glenwood Fire Department, Gene 
Morgan; for the Hankins North Fork Fire Department, Jimmy Hardin; for 
the Marion Fire Department, Phillip Finley; for the Nebo Fire 
Department, Shane Kirkpatrick; for the Old Fort Fire Department, Roy 
Crisp; for the P.G. Fire Department, Danny Killough; for the Sugar Hill 
Montford Cove Fire Department, Chris Parker; for the Woodlawn Fire 
Department, Gary Cook.
  I would also like to recognize Brian Lonon, McDowell County Paramedic 
of the Year, and Derek Carlson, McDowell County Telecommunicator of the 
Year.
  It is with great respect and gratitude that I commend these brave and 
dedicated fire and rescue workers. I am honored to be able to stand 
with the McDowell Fire and Rescue Association in recognizing their hard 
work and service.

                          ____________________