[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 197 (Monday, December 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1647-E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO CHIEF CARL HOLMES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 4, 2017

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, our nation's fire and emergency services 
lost an extraordinary leader on Thanksgiving Day. Retired Fire Chief 
Carl Holmes passed away unexpectedly in Dallas, Texas with his family 
by his side.
  Chief Holmes was a ground breaker, a man of strong convictions who 
paved the way for African American firefighters to climb the leadership 
ladder in fire departments across the nation. A veteran of the Oklahoma 
City Fire Department, Chief Holmes began his career during a time when 
few opportunities were afforded in the fire service to African 
Americans. He achieved his ascent to leadership positions by training 
harder and working longer, a lesson he instilled in others who wanted 
to follow his path. In 1978, following 27 years of grit and 
determination, he became the city's first African American Assistant 
Fire Chief.
  In 2016, Chief Holmes was awarded the Mason Lankford Fire Service 
Leadership Award at the 28th Annual National Fire and Emergency 
Services Dinner in Washington, DC. He was honored for an incredible 
career that spanned over 65 years . . . a career that left a profound 
impact on firefighters of different ethnicities and regions of the 
country, both career and volunteer. I had the honor of attending the 
dinner program and witnessing the presentation of the award to Chief 
Holmes. It was a special event that brought 1,500 national fire service 
leaders to their feet to pay tribute to a man of incredible courage and 
character. Chief Holmes was a leader who literally changed the 
complexion of the fire service as we know it today.
  Chief Holmes was a very special person and the consummate fire 
service professional. He inspired people and demanded the best from 
them. But more importantly, he taught others about life and what is 
most important to us all: family and friends. He leaves behind a loving 
wife, Marvella, and daughter, Carla and

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family. He also leaves behind countless fire service professionals who 
benefited from his teachings. It will be their responsibility to 
preserve Chief Holmes' legacy and carry forward his teachings.
  On behalf of my fellow Co-Chairs of the Congressional Fire Services 
Caucus, I extend my sympathies to the Holmes family on the passing of a 
great fire service leader.

                          ____________________