[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING WILLIAM (BILL) NESMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 12, 2011

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William, Bill, 
Nesmith, who will retire from his position as Hillsborough County's 
fire chief on January 15, 2011.
  Mr. Nesmith has provided Hillsborough County with 41 years of service 
in the fire community. After spending 24 years with Tampa Fire Rescue, 
he joined the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue as assistant chief in 
1994 and just 2 years later became fire chief.
  Under his leadership, the Hillsborough County Fire Department merged 
with Hillsborough's Emergency Medical Services to become Hillsborough 
County Fire Rescue, which he oversaw. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue 
saw immense growth after this, more than doubling its number of 
firefighters.
  During Chief Nesmith's tenure as Fire Chief, eight new fire stations 
were opened and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, 
he was instrumental in ensuring that all engines and ladders were 
staffed with paramedics, providing Hillsborough County's residents with 
the highest level of pre-hospital care.
  Mr. Nesmith has a quite impressive repertoire of accomplishments that 
coincide with his career. He was able to continue his formal education, 
receiving a bachelor in arts and a master in arts in industrial 
technology education from the University of South Florida. He served on 
numerous boards and committees, including the International Association 
of Fire Chiefs and Florida Fire Chiefs' Association, and has been the 
recipient of the Harvey Grant Excellence in Rescue Award and 
Hillsborough County's Distinguished Service Award.
  Public servants like Mr. Nesmith keep our communities safe in our 
most pressing times of need. His talents will be missed, and I wish him 
the best in the future.

                          ____________________