[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14731]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE OF MICHAEL LEHNEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 7, 2004

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Assistant 
Fire Chief Michael Lehnen of Bethalto, Illinois. Chief Lehnen passed 
away at the age of 57 after 29 years of service to his community. His 
funeral held in Bethalto drew large crowds of grateful citizens.
  I rise today to honor more than simply one life of one man from my 
home district. I rise to honor a man, Michael Lehnen, whose work as a 
fireman represents what's truly good in America. He lived his life, day 
in and day out, always ready to rush into burning buildings to save the 
lives of whoever was in danger. Firemen and women, like Mike don't get 
many monuments, they don't get much in the way of recognition, but they 
should; because they represent the best that we should all aspire to be 
ourselves.
  We live in a time where sports stars, rock stars and pro-wrestlers 
are our children's heroes. I hope that we might also commit ourselves 
to showing our children and grandchildren who are the real heroes in 
their lives--the many Michael Lehnens who serve their communities each 
day.
  At Michael's funeral there were tears, particularly when the fire 
alarm sounded again in his honor. But more than sadness it was a 
celebration. Michael had lived a life of service to others. He put 
himself at risk of death every day for his fellow man. He is a man who 
we, while reflecting on his life, can honestly say made a difference.
  What greater tribute can there be to a man than when his wife and 
family looked out at the huge crowd paying their respects, they may 
have asked themselves who in that crowd wouldn't be there today had 
Michael not lived. The incredible impact of saving lives has a power 
that far outlives the hero who makes it happen.
  I'm sure some might find it trivial to pay respects to an Assistant 
Fire Chief from a small town in Illinois. But, Mr. Speaker, I would 
argue that there are few greater heroes we can praise from this noble 
House. I extend condolences and our thanks to the family of Michael 
Lehnen.

                          ____________________