[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 69 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E721-E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN OSTRUM AND ALAN KLAPAT OF THE WILKES-BARRE FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2014

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Ostrum and 
Alan Klapat of the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department, who were recently 
promoted from the rank of captain to assistant fire chief and deputy 
fire chief, respectively. Together, they have almost 60 years of 
combined experience serving the city of Wilkes-Barre.
  John Ostrum, a second generation firefighter, is the most senior 
member of the fire department. After joining the Wilkes-Barre Fire 
Department as a firefighter in 1978, he has

[[Page E722]]

served for the past 26 years as fire captain. Ostrum has completed many 
fire and emergency response training programs, including water rescue, 
firefighter survival, and emergency vehicle driver training.
  Alan Klapat has served the Wilkes-Barre fire department for 23 years. 
During his career, Klapat has served as lead fire investigator, fire 
training officer, and fire inspector for the city's fire department. He 
also provides fire safety education programs to civic and social 
organizations, elementary schools, educators, and child/adult 
caregivers. Before joining the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department, Klapat was 
enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attained the rank of Sergeant.
  I am proud to celebrate the achievements of these two distinguished 
public servants. They deserve our gratitude for their decades of 
dedication to public safety, and I wish them the best of luck as they 
protect the city of Wilkes-Barre in their essential new roles.

                          ____________________