[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING ROBERT LEE FINK FOR HIS SERVICE

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. LEE M. ZELDIN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2015

  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert Lee Fink 
for his 50 years of dedicated service to the field of Emergency Medical 
Services. Bob's EMS career began when he was just 12 years old, when he 
witnessed an 8 year old unconscious boy being pulled from a public 
swimming pool. The boy was placed upon the ground, but no one rendered 
aid to him. This was before CPR, but as a Sea Scout, Bob was taught the 
Holger-Nielson back pressure arm lift, which saved the boy's life.
  This is what drove Bob to become a lifeguard, a career he officially 
began at 16 when he took his first CPR and first aid classes through 
the City of New York. A few years later, Bob was granted a waiver by 
the Mayor of New York City to become the first lay person to be a CPR 
instructor. After graduating college, Bob had a successful 20 year 
career promoting health and fitness as a Physical Education teacher in 
Bedford Stuyvesant. In 1977, Bob became an EMT and then in 1979, he 
became a Critical Care EMT. A few years later, in 1988, Bob was honored 
with the New York State Advanced Medical Technician of the year. This 
honor was bestowed upon him for saving the life of a 12 year old boy 
who was submerged in the waters of Lake Ronkonkoma.
  Bob went on to become an EMT instructor in 1996, and since then, he 
has prepared thousands of students to become EMT's and Critical Care 
EMT's. At the age of 60, Bob returned to school yet again to become a 
Paramedic as one of the oldest students in his class at St. Vincent's 
Catholic Medical Center.
  To this day, Bob remains dedicated to serving the public, continuing 
to volunteer and serve his community as a mentor and a Paramedic. 
Today, I thank and congratulate Bob for his 50 years of dedication and 
service.

                          ____________________