[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF JAMES ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY KIM

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 27, 2023

  Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
retirement of James Anderson, a public servant in New Jersey's 3rd 
District who dedicated his career to the Willingboro Fire Department 
for four decades.
  James began his work with the fire department as a volunteer 
firefighter in May of 1982, serving our community day in and day out in 
times of crisis. Since that starting point of his career, he grew into 
a professional many in our district consider one of the most 
recognizable firefighters throughout Burlington County. After his first 
six years as a volunteer firefighter, James helped to establish the 
Willingboro Fire Department Underwater Search and Rescue Team, one of 
the first in the county. Following its development, he applied his 
expertise and leadership as the Dive Team Coordinator for the program.
  Only a year after his work as Dive Team Coordinator, James earned the 
title of a career firefighter for the Naval Warfare Center right on our 
Joint Base in Lakehurst. It was there where he continued his work as an 
Aircraft Crash Rescue Firefighter. Even throughout his time on the 
Joint Base, James still held service in the highest regard and 
continued his volunteerism at the Willingboro Township Fire Department.
  In 1991, James gained the title of Provisional Career Firefighter at 
the Willingboro Firehouse he started in, with which he served an 
additional eight years before transitioning to the Willingboro Township 
Bureau of Inspections applying his investigative and interpretative 
skills to fire investigations. In May of 2008 James returned to the 
Firehouse as a senior firefighter, where in his final professional 
role, he took the most pride in being a ``senior man'' and mentoring 
aspiring firefighters, who eventually graduated to become supervisors 
and officers themselves.
  James' contributions to our Burlington County community have earned 
him numerous awards and accolades over the years. He earned life 
memberships within the Willingboro Fire Department and eventually the 
New Jersey State Fireman's Association. He was also recognized as 
Firefighter of the Year in 2014. His respective units and teams were 
recognized time and time again for their courageous actions--twice with 
Unit Citations for multiple rescues--as well as most recently in 2022, 
with the Valor Award.
  Through these remarkable milestones and achievements, James 
culminated his career with founding the Sean Anderson Foundation to 
give back to his fellow firefighters. Through this organization, they 
provide assistance and support to firefighters, emergency medical 
technicians, and the overall community relief efforts of Burlington 
County. It is because of his dedication both in his career and personal 
life, that many people can continue to feel safe every day as well as 
have the resources they need to succeed.
  New Jersey is grateful for the work that James has done, and I hope 
that his career can inspire others to carry on his legacy as a champion 
for service. I know I speak for the 3rd District in wishing James a 
happy retirement filled with spending quality time with his family.

                          ____________________