[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 189 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                           MIKE JONES TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2018

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mike Jones, a 
Durango paramedic and firefighter, who recently passed away after 40 
years of service to his community.
  Mike's life of service began at Mercy Hospital where he started 
working as an orderly. A few years into his career, he became a 
paramedic with the ambulance service. In 1973, he became a volunteer 
firefighter for the Animas Fire Protection District and he went on to 
serve as the Interim Fire Chief for the district. Later on in his 
career, he was employed with the Durango Fire and Rescue Authority as 
well as the Durango Fire Protection District.
  Mike was known by many for his compassion and empathy, often cooking 
dinner for the families of patients who had passed away. Mike's many 
good qualities were what compelled Durango Fire Deputy Chief Randy 
Black to have all new hires work with Mike. He wanted them to learn how 
to properly care for the sick and injured from the best of the best, 
and Mike was the best.
  It was not just his work ethic and service to his community that set 
him apart, he will be remembered for his humor as well. In the early 
1990s, he drove a fire truck across a bridge on the way to a fire after 
being assured that it could hold the weight of the truck. 
Unfortunately, the bridge collapsed, and the truck got stuck. As his 
truck was being pulled out, a photographer with a local news outlet 
snapped a picture of Mike grinning from ear to ear in front of the 
truck. For all who worked with and around him, it was an expression 
Mike frequently wore and perfectly encapsulated his positive outlook 
and light-hearted nature.
  Mr. Speaker, Mike's impact on the Durango community will never be 
forgotten and it is my privilege to acknowledge his achievements and 
generosity here today. We were fortunate to have such an upstanding 
individual call the Third Congressional District home. On behalf of 
everyone in the Durango community, I would like to thank Mike for his 
service and honor the admirable life he lived.

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