[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 164 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF LT. KEN HOBBS FOR BEING NAMED YPSILANTI'S 2017 
                        FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2017

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Ken 
Hobbs for being named 2017 Firefighter of the Year by the Washtenaw 100 
Honors' Board of Membership. He has distinguished himself through his 
outstanding public service and advocacy on behalf of the Ypsilanti Fire 
Department and community.
  Since joining the Ypsilanti Fire Department in 1986, Lt. Hobbs has 
worked tirelessly to protect Ypsilanti residents and promote a positive 
relationship between the department and city at large. The City of 
Ypsilanti Fire Department is a full-time department that provides 
prevention and protective fire services to Ypsilanti and the Eastern 
Michigan University campus, and Lt. Hobbs is well regarded by the more 
than 40,000 constituents served by the department. Throughout his 
career, he has made it a priority to give back to the community he 
serves by holding community fire prevention and education workshops and 
attending various fundraisers throughout the year.
  In addition to being recognized as Washtenaw 100 Honors' Firefighter 
of the Year, Lt. Hobbs has served as President of the Ypsilanti 
Firefighters Union for many years and has received widespread acclaim 
for promoting unity between the union and fire department. 
Additionally, he has played a key role in securing grants for the 
department through the Department of Homeland Security, which has 
allowed for increased firefighting staff and much-needed equipment. 
Their success in securing federal grants over the years speaks to the 
quality of their applications and the great work being done by Lt. 
Hobbs and his fellow firefighters. Lt. Hobbs has also been instrumental 
in fostering greater diversity at the department and advocated for 
hiring a female firefighter with a 2014 Department of Homeland Security 
grant. His dedication and efforts on behalf of the city of Ypsilanti 
are worthy of commendation, and I know that Lt. Hobbs will continue his 
diligent work on behalf of the area residents in the coming years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lt. Ken Hobbs 
for being named Ypsilanti's Firefighter of the Year. His advocacy and 
service on behalf of the citizens and firefighters of our community are 
worthy of public acclaim.

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