[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 29, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4813-S4814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO RAY ELDER

  Mr. SCHMITT. Madam President, I rise today to honor Captain Ray Elder 
of Kansas City, MO, for his dedication to recognizing and honoring all 
fallen KCPD firefighters on the city's firefighter memorial.
  Captain Ray Elder served with the Kansas City Fire Department for 35

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years, including 16 years as a captain. Once Ray retired, he became the 
official historian for the Kansas City Fire Historical Society. His 23 
books on the department's history start with the first volunteer bucket 
brigades in 1858. His core mission is to register the deaths of all 
firefighters who died in the line of duty and ensure they are honored 
on the city's State memorial to fallen firefighters. Once Ray discovers 
a forgotten firefighter, their name is laser-cut into the tall metal 
panels at the Firefighters Fountain and Memorial in Penn Valley Park. 
Currently, 119 firefighters' names are honored, with Captain Ray Elder 
being responsible for over a dozen of them. Because of his hard work 
and dedication to the city's forgotten servicemembers, Ray has been 
awarded the Lifetime Contribution Award.
  Captain Ray Elder is truly a Champion of Missouri. His dedication to 
honoring fallen firefighters reflects his unwavering sense of duty and 
commitment to his community. I commend Captain Elder for his service to 
his fellow Missourians and wish him all the best in his noble mission.

                          ____________________