[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING GEORGE THIEL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 17, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I take 
this opportunity to recognize one of Northwest Indiana's most dedicated 
and selfless citizens, Mr. George Thiel, of Griffith, Indiana. After 
serving the people of Griffith as a firefighter for sixty years, the 
last twenty-nine of which he served as the department's Fire Chief, 
George retired from service at the beginning of 2012. In recognition of 
Mr. Thiel's service to his community, not only as a firefighter but 
also for his commitment to serving his community in many other 
capacities, a party was held in his honor on Sunday, January 8, 2012.
  George was born March 20, 1926, in Saint John, Indiana, and learned 
the meaning of dedication and hard work on his family's farm. To this 
day, George still enjoys farming. After graduating from Dyer Central 
High School, George entered the Army, where he was quickly promoted to 
Sergeant for the 99th Infantry Division. During his military service, 
he participated in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Purple Heart 
Medal. George was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 and began 
his first career as a home builder, retiring from that position in 
1990. Shortly after beginning his first career, George found his true 
love and married Peggy Vestal in 1951. He then found his other true 
love and joined the Griffith Fire Department in 1952. George and Peggy 
were blessed to have three children: Mike, Larry, and Sandy, who have 
given them six wonderful grandchildren. George remained dedicated to 
his family and his career and was promoted to Fire Chief in 1983, a 
post he retained until his retirement.
  Of all the awards and highlights of a sixty-year firefighting career, 
George can be most proud of the public educational work he has 
accomplished and the countless lives he has saved. George has saved 
many lives simply through his initiative to provide Griffith residents 
with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers 
at no cost to the resident. Additionally, George has passed on much of 
his knowledge and expertise to so many firefighters that Griffith will 
benefit for generations to come.
  Aside from his incredible sixty years of service on the fire 
department, George's contributions to the Northwest Indiana community 
extend to numerous youth organizations that were fortunate to have 
George's coaching and mentoring skills. George continues to enjoy 
volunteering and watching all Griffith High School football and 
basketball games. George also remains an instrumental teacher to the 
people of Griffith by sharing his knowledge of the rich tradition and 
history of the town.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending Mr. George Thiel for his lifetime of leadership, 
service, and dedication to the residents of Griffith, Indiana. He has 
touched the lives of countless citizens, and his commitment to the 
safety of his community and to the improvement of the quality of life 
for the people of Griffith is to be admired.

                          ____________________