[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JAMES POPPELREITER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor James Poppelreiter, 
Fire Chief of West Bloomfield Township, for his 44 years of dedicated 
service to the safety and well-being of his community and its citizens.
  Since beginning his career as a sergeant with the department in 
November 1965, Chief Poppelreiter has served West Bloomfield Township 
with the distinction, valor, and tenacity that have been essential in 
creating this vibrant and diverse suburban metropolis. In recognition 
of his 35 years of outstanding work and leadership with the West 
Bloomfield Fire Department and the greater community, Chief 
Poppelreiter was bestowed his current responsibilities as Chief in 
April 2000. Chief Poppelreiter's ascent to one of the top public safety 
offices in the township was a product of decades of perseverance and 
strong work ethic.
  Chief Poppelreiter's career spans a transcendent period for the West 
Bloomfield community. At the start of Chief Poppelreiter's career the 
West Bloomfield Fire Department was a small volunteer force serving a 
mere 14,000 residents in a rural hamlet of Oakland County. The township 
has since grown to over 66,000 residents and is one of southeast 
Michigan's most economically and ethnically diverse communities. During 
the years spanning Chief Poppelreiter's career, the Fire Department 
grew to a full-time professional staff of over 100 that serve West 
Bloomfield and several of the surrounding communities. During his 
tenure, Chief Poppelreiter's commitment to excellence has ensured that 
the residents of West Bloomfield have received outstanding fire safety 
protection.
  Chief Poppelreiter's career illustrates exemplary public service in 
its truest spirit and finest tradition. His absence in retirement will 
surely be felt by his colleagues and the residents of West Bloomfield. 
Madam Speaker I ask all of my colleagues to join me today in honoring 
the courageous work and unwavering commitment of Chief Poppelreiter to 
the community and citizens of West Bloomfield.

                          ____________________