[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 19 (Friday, February 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CHIEF LARRY EUGENE PRATT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 3, 2017

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the 
outstanding achievements of Chief Larry Eugene Pratt. Chief Pratt is 
one of the most respected fire district chiefs and is retiring from the 
Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District after 53 years of service. 
I join with the families, fellow firefighters, and citizens of the 
Kearney community in congratulating Chief Pratt on his many years of 
success, contributions to the community and now his retirement.
   Chief Pratt began his firefighting career as a junior firefighter in 
1963 while he was still in high school. Due to lack of manpower in the 
mid-1960s, Chief Pratt was one of approximately a half dozen students 
who were dismissed from Kearney High School to respond to calls during 
his high school career. While Chief Pratt was still a volunteer 
firefighter, he began a career working for Hallmark Cards for 34 years. 
In 1973, Chief Pratt became the Assistant Fire Chief and a year later 
after completing his EMT certification he was elected Fire Chief 
serving from 1975 through 1990. When the Kearney Fire and Rescue 
Protection District was created in 1990 Chief Pratt was appointed Fire 
Chief. In March 2001 he was hired as a career Chief.
   During Chief Pratt's tenure, the call volume increased from 209 to a 
projected 1700 and the career positions increased from 3 to 28. With 
additional personnel and equipment, the ISO classification improved 
from a Class 8 to a Class 4 for the entire District.
   Chief Pratt truly believes in public service and commitment to 
keeping his community safe. Chief Pratt is a past president of the 
Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs 1976 through 1978, past president 
of the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri 1989 through 1992, and 
past president of the Missouri Association of Fire Protection Districts 
2011 through 2013. Chief Pratt has been a member of the International 
Association of Fire Chiefs and Missouri Valley Division of Fire Chiefs 
since 1978 and received his Chief Fire Officer Designation in August 
2002. Chief Pratt is a charter member of St. Michael's Knights of 
Columbus Council and the Kearney Rotary Club, and serves on the Board 
of Directors of the Kearney Area Development Council and KCB Bank.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and the rest of the Kearney 
community, family and firefighters in applauding Chief Larry Eugene 
Pratt's outstanding achievements and contributions to the community, 
and the State of Missouri. I wish Chief Pratt and his family the very 
best in years to come.

                          ____________________