[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 114 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4841-S4842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TRIBUTE TO CHRIS ``JAKE'' JAKUBIAK

 Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
speak about the very important role that emergency medical services 
play in our communities. Moreover, in rural areas like my State of 
Vermont, many of these ambulance drivers, paramedics,

[[Page S4842]]

and emergency medical technicians are volunteers, making significant 
personal and financial sacrifices to keep the rest of us safe. We owe 
them all a very deep debt of gratitude.
  In particular, I would like to mention one individual from my State 
of Vermont: Chris ``Jake'' Jakubiak. This year, the American Ambulance 
Association honored Chris as a ``Star of Life,'' for his exceptional 
skills and commitment to his patients and community. In addition to his 
full-time job, for the past 14 years, Chris has served as a part-time 
emergency medical technician. Chris has also been a volunteer 
firefighter for the past 31 years. To my mind, this kind of selfless 
service to his community makes Chris a true hero.
  Of course, Chris is not alone in this regard. Emergency medical 
services are a critical component of a robust primary care system in 
the health infrastructure in Vermont and all across the country; yet it 
is clear they face significant challenges in terms of recruiting and 
retaining volunteers, stocking enough medication, and accessing 
essential equipment. To my mind, if a person is willing to risk their 
life to protect others, then we in Congress should be able to provide 
them with the resources they need to do the job. That should include 
incentives for young people to become paramedics and emergency medical 
technicians and funding for these providers to purchase enough naloxone 
and EpiPens and maintain emergency vehicles, among other solutions.
  At a time when we are relying more and more on our first responders 
to protect our communities from crises like the opioid epidemic and 
natural disasters, we must do everything we can to support these hard-
working and dedicated neighbors.

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