[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23455-23456]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO WEST ELK MOUNTAIN RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the West Elk 
Mountain Rescue team, a dedicated group of people from my home district 
who risk their lives so that others might live. This 22 member rescue 
team is composed of dedicated men and women that volunteer using their 
own resources to equip themselves with the knowledge to find and rescue 
people in need. I want to take this opportunity to recognize their many 
years of service to their community before this body of Congress and 
this Nation.
  The WEMR was created in 1996 and works under the authority of the 
Gunnison County Sheriff's office. The team consists of mainly men and 
women, but also includes a 5-year old golden retriever/labrador mix 
rescue dog who aides local and national law enforcement agencies. The 
human members of the team come from Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia, 
Cedaredge, and Eckert to cover a search area encompassing both Delta 
and Gunnison counties. Team members are certified and trained in CPR/
First Aid, emergency medical technicians, avalanche rescue, water 
rescue, technical rock climbing skills, and general rescue. The group 
acquires many of its members from people who were once in need of the 
team's services.
  Mr. Speaker, West Elk Mountain Rescue is a dedicated group of people 
who avail themselves to the community everyday of the year

[[Page 23456]]

to provide search and rescue expertise to those in dire need. These 
brave men and women risk danger to their own lives and take time away 
from their families to serve others. Their dedication to their 
community is highly commendable and I am honored to recognize their 
service before this body of Congress and this Nation.

                          ____________________