[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF CHIEF JOHN CHARLES GIBSON, SENIOR

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Chief John Charles 
Gibson, Senior for thirty-three and one-half years of dedicated service 
to the public safety of the citizens of Lemoore, California.
  Chief Gibson is a lifelong Kings County resident. Born in 1955 to 
Robert Randell and Doris Elaine Gibson,
  John grew up in the small farm town of Lemoore, California. He 
attended Lemoore High School.
  Chief Gibson's career with the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department 
began in 1984, as a Hoseman. That year, he also gained certification as 
an Emergency Medical Technician. He later served on the department's 
Membership and Rating Committees. In 1987, he was assigned as an 
Engineer and later promoted to Crew Captain, training a crew on fire 
fighting and emergency medical service procedures. In 1998, he was 
promoted to Second Assistant Chief.
  Chief Gibson was elected and confirmed by the Lemoore City Council as 
Fire Chief in October 2005. During his tenure, Chief Gibson upgraded 
the department's firefighting equipment and led a program to certify 
nine Lemoore firefighters as Emergency Medical Technicians.
  Chief Gibson's leadership directly improved the standard of living 
for the citizens of Lemoore. As the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department's 
rating for handling emergency services was upgraded, citizens saw their 
homeowner's insurance premiums decrease.
  During the course of his career with the department, Chief Gibson 
responded to 16,458 service calls.
  In retirement, Chief Gibson will be spending more time with his 
loving family--wife Kim, sons John, Jr. and Paul, and daughter, Patty. 
He will also continue to operate his welding business he founded in 
1980.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in commending Chief John Gibson on his 
retirement from the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department and his service 
to the people of Lemoore, California over the past thirty-three and 
one-half years. As he embarks on the next chapter of his life, I wish 
him my absolute best.

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