[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 30 (Monday, March 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         HONORING JERRY BARBER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 4, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
courageous volunteer firefighter, Mr. Jerry Barber.
  In addition to serving his community as a volunteer firefighter, Mr. 
Barber is a member of the Leland High School Class of 1978, the cook 
for the Leland High School Booster Club, and he is also a carpenter.
  Mr. Barber got his inspiration to be a volunteer firefighter from 
former Chief James Hasting of Leland, Mississippi. Mr. Barber thought 
he was brave and wanted to be like him. So, he started asking Chief 
Hasting about being a firefighter. Chief Hasting told him, ``it's not 
about the money, it's about the life and property you save for 
others.''
  In 2006, Chief Michael Johnson of the Leland Fire Department hired 
Mr. Barber as a volunteer firefighter, where he is still employed. 
Since then he has taken great pride in being a fireman through training 
and certification. He is certified in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation 
(CPR). He is also trained and licensed to drive fire trucks along with 
mechanical knowledge and equipment maintenance of the truck. In 
addition to that, Mr. Barber has undergone training in other fire 
equipment operation and safety. Mr. Barber has excelled up the ranks 
since 2006 to become the Assistant Chief of the Leland Fire Department.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Jerry 
Barber for his dedication and passion for serving the city of Leland, 
Mississippi.

                          ____________________