[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1017-E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF CHIEF ERIC METZGER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedicated service 
of Chief Eric Metzger of the Flower Mound Fire Department. After almost 
4 decades in public service, Chief Metzger's exemplary career is coming 
to an end.
   Eric Metzger's passion for public service and fire fighting started 
at a young age; when growing up in Pleasanton, California, his next 
door neighbor was the Chief of the Oakland Fire Department. His 39-year 
fire service career began in Wimer, Oregon, where he

[[Page E1018]]

served as a volunteer firefighter at age 15. He then proceeded to join 
the Rogue Five Fire Department as a volunteer Lieutenant and served 
there for the next three years. During the notoriously fire prone west 
coast summers in Oregon, Chief Metzger served as a Fire Warden for the 
Oregon State Forestry, and at age 18 he was assigned his own crew and 
truck. In 1979, he worked with other young firefighters to establish a 
private-for-profit fire department for the County of Josephine, Oregon. 
From 1979-1982, he served as a lieutenant in that department.
   In 1982, he moved to Midland, Texas seeking to expand his career 
with a ``big city'' fire department where he served for five years. In 
his free time, he continued his commitment to public service and his 
profession. Chief Metzger became the charter president of the Greenwood 
Volunteer Fire Department, spearheading the opening of its initial 
station in 1985. In 1986, he seized the opportunity to oversee the Fire 
Prevention Division of the Town of Flower Mound. He was promoted to 
Chief in 1992 and has capably led the Fire Department for 22 years.
   The Flower Mound Fire Department's sterling reputation is a 
reflection of the dedicated, ethical supervision of Chief Metzger. His 
professional legacy will continue to benefit the citizens and 
businesses of Flower Mound for years to come. I join his colleagues and 
the community in commending Flower Mound Fire Chief Eric Metzger for 
his outstanding record and extend best wishes upon his retirement. It 
is my privilege to represent the Town of Flower Mound in the U.S. House 
of Representatives.

                          ____________________