[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 31 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING NORTHERN KENTUCKY FIREFIGHTERS

 Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, today I invite my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating four northern Kentucky firefighters for 
receiving awards from the Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association: 
Darlene Payette of Independence, Richard Messingschlager of Kenton 
County, Clayton James of Newport, and Larry Cappel of Covington.
  These brave firefighters have dedicated their lives to helping other 
people, and each is deserving of their prestigious award. Each award 
speaks of the character of these individuals.
  Darlene Payette received the Emergency Medical Service Award for her 
actions at Summit Medical in Nicholson during a full arrest in April 
2008. During this situation, Ms. Payette's leadership and 
professionalism allowed her to resuscitate an individual under extreme 
circumstances.
  Richard Messingschlager was awarded the Chief Officer of the Year. 
His lifelong contributions to firefighting in Kenton County, northern 
Kentucky, and the Commonwealth serve as an inspiration to firefighters 
across the State.
  Clayton James received the Firefighter of the Year award for 
demonstrating leadership during the September wind storm and using the 
recent training he received to set up the National Incident Management 
System for Newport. His acts led to bringing fire, police, public 
works, and utility companies together under one command center.
  Larry Cappel was honored with the Fire Prevention/Education and 
Safety Award for his inventive approaches of teaching fire prevention 
and safety to residents of Covington.
  I am humbled and grateful that these citizens serve the people of the 
Commonwealth, and I know their coworkers are proud to work alongside of 
them.
  Madam President, I would like to thank these individuals for their 
contributions to the State of Kentucky, and I wish them well as they 
continue to protect our citizens.

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