[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK, APRIL 11-17

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                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, since 1991, Congress has officially 
recognized the work of 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 remarkable.
  As the former Sheriff of King County in Washington State, I worked 
alongside the men and women in our communications center. I depended on 
them daily to provide me with the correct information in order to 
safely carry out my duties and keep our communities safe. The men and 
women at our communications center went to great lengths to make sure I 
was okay after a head-on collision in 1991, and I will always remember 
their care and compassion. After the collision, I was able to get out 
of my car and check on the other people involved in the accident. I 
left my portable radio behind in the patrol car at that point, not 
realizing that the men and women at the communications center were 
nearly in tears with worry, wondering if I was safe. It is a difficult 
and sometimes emotional duty these public servants perform; they don't 
always know what's happening on the other end of the line because they 
can't see what's going on, but they can hear the cries for help and the 
commotion and confusion of the scene. I can't adequately express how 
much their professionalism and concern meant to me, knowing they cared 
so much about my well-being. In short, the men and women at our 
communications centers are truly heroes to the law enforcement officers 
and citizens they serve.
  As I recounted during National Telecommunications Week two years ago, 
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. Every 
day they meet the needs of those who call for help, and they make sure 
our first responders are able to perform their duties as safely as 
possible.
  I encourage all my friends, colleagues, and neighbors to take a 
moment during this week to thank a telecommunications dispatcher, 
letting them know you recognize and appreciate the guidance and service 
they provide to their fellow citizens.

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