[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SHAWN SHELTON TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2019

  Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Shawn Shelton of 
Pueblo, Colorado, who recently retired from the Pueblo Fire Department.
  Shawn was born in 1962 in Quantico, Virginia to Doyle and Elizabeth 
Shelton. His father's service in the Marine Corps and the Air Force led 
to their family moving to various posts until they eventually settled 
in Pueblo in 1975. He married Mary Beth Erjavec in 1983 and they have 
two sons, Timothy and Joshua. Working odd-jobs as a ranch hand and a 
mechanic, Shawn found his career path in his early 20's after a 
friend's recommendation and never looked back. Shawn selflessly helped 
countless families in the Pueblo community by serving as a firefighter 
for over 30 years.
  After three years on the job, Shawn was promoted as a medic, and a 
year later received another promotion to fire engineer. He continued to 
advance in the department when he was promoted again to captain and 
then to assistant fire chief in 2015. Shawn's dedication to faithfully 
serve his community and his leadership as a team member ultimately led 
to him becoming the chief of the Pueblo Fire Department, a position he 
held for the last three years of his career.
  Firefighters are called to assist in some of the direst situations, 
yet their actions can be remembered for the lifetimes of the people 
they help. On one such occasion, while standing in line at a grocery 
store, Shawn was recognized by a woman whose baby he helped deliver 
nine years earlier. It's moments like that Shawn says he will miss the 
most.
  Madam Speaker, I stand with the Pueblo Fire Department and the entire 
community of Pueblo in thanking Shawn for his service over the last 
three decades. I wish him a happy retirement and hope that he knows 
just how thankful we are for his remarkable career.

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