[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING THOMAS O. MEFFERD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas Mefferd for 
his 22 years of dedication and service to DuPage County.
  Tom began his career in emergency management in 1971 as the Civil 
Defense Director for the Village of Plainfield, IL, a position he held 
for 10 years.
  In 1981, Tom left municipal government and became an instructor for 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. While there, he was 
responsible for conducting training courses and disaster exercises in 
FEMA Region 5.
  In 1988, Tom returned to local government service and became the 
Deputy Coordinator of the DuPage County Office of Emergency Management, 
where he oversaw disaster planning and training activities.
  In recognition of his exemplary role as Deputy Coordinator, Tom was 
appointed Coordinator of the DuPage County Office of Emergency 
Management in 1995. While holding this position, he supervised the 
renovation of the county's Emergency Operations Center, designed the 
county's Mobile Operating Center and the installation of Illinois' 
first Emergency Alert System.
  He also serves as a member on the Illinois Terrorism Task Force.
  In 2003, Tom became the Director of the DuPage County Office of 
Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as DuPage became the first 
county in Illinois to merge the roles of emergency management and 
homeland security.
  Tom's steadfast dedication to protecting our communities has spanned 
more than two decades. On February 29, 2008 he will begin a well 
deserved respite. Thanks to Thomas Mefferd, DuPage County's emergency 
management system is clearly a cut above the rest.
  Madam Speaker and distinguished colleagues, please join me in 
honoring the distinguished career and service of Thomas Mefferd.

                          ____________________