[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22804]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   ABERDEEN MONUMENT TO FIREFIGHTERS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a special 
unveiling of the Aberdeen Monument to Firefighters on October 15, 2009. 
The handsome bronze, carefully crafted by Aberdeen sculptor Benjamin 
Victor, is a tribute to the firefighters who put their lives on the 
line and heroically serve with courage, pride and honor. Fully aware 
that firefighting is inherently dangerous work, these men and women 
work day and night to save lives, save property and protect the 
environment.
  Benjamin Victor has crafted a spectacular sculpture to commemorate 
these heroes. It portrays his passion for expression and detail and his 
natural ability to create unique and inspiring works of art. Ben, at 26 
years old, is the youngest artist ever to have a sculpture in the 
National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Art critics and 
organizations throughout the country recognize the aesthetic and 
conceptual integrity of Ben's work. Early on, Aberdeen saw his talent 
and its citizens are very grateful that he continues to share his 
talents with their community.
  I also want to commend the Aberdeen community for their efforts to 
make this unveiling possible. Using no tax dollars, the entire funding 
for this project came from businesses, service clubs, schools, 
fraternal organizations and individuals in the community who saw the 
significance of this monument. This contribution by the Aberdeen 
community and Benjamin Victor will commemorate the important role of 
our firefighters for generations to come.

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