[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 3 (Monday, January 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E19]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO CHIEF RICHARD H. GOBBLE, II

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 14, 2013

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bravery of 
City of Ripley Fire Chief Richard H. Gobble, II. Chief Gobble, a 
lifelong resident of the community he serves, heads an all volunteer 
fire department in Ripley, WV, a small town in my district.
  On the morning of December 29, 2012, Ripley's Mayor received an 
anonymous letter detailing a heroic event that happened the week 
earlier, just before the Christmas holiday. The letter's anonymous 
author had been traveling down Route 33 when he witnessed a frightening 
car wreck, in which the vehicle left the road and landed in the frigid 
waters of a nearby creek.
  The first emergency responder on the scene was a man from the fire 
department, who, according to the anonymous author, waded into the cold 
waters without hesitation to help the trapped motorist. The fireman 
successfully retrieved the elderly man from his almost completely 
submerged car and helped him to shore, reassuring him along the way 
that everything would be alright. By the time the fireman helped the 
elderly man to the creek bank, other members of the fire department, 
paramedics, and police had arrived on the scene to assist.
  Once the elderly man was safe from the frigid waters and receiving 
medical treatment from paramedics, the letter's anonymous author asked 
a member of the fire department for the name of the fireman that risked 
hypothermia to save the motorist. The fireman responded, ``That's our 
chief!'' It was Ripley's volunteer fire chief, Richard Gobble, who had 
rescued the man from the frozen creek and saved his life.
  Mr. Speaker, the level of devotion to community by Chief Gobble is 
one deserving of great respect and recognition.
  I wish to thank Chief Gobble for his service to his community. The 
City of Ripley is fortunate to have such a heroic man leading their 
fire department.

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