[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CHIEF MARK McCURRY: FIRE CHIEF OF THE YEAR

  (Mr. McHENRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fire Chief Mark 
McCurry of Forest City, North Carolina. Chief McCurry was recently 
named Fire Chief of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Fire 
Chiefs. It is their highest honor.
  Thirty-five years ago, Mark's uncle encouraged him to go into the 
family business of fire service. Now, 35 years later, Chief McCurry is 
still serving the community of Forest City. He says putting his life on 
the line to protect those of his fellow citizens is ``like a calling.''
  Chief McCurry understands that his men no longer just put out fires. 
All Forest City firemen are now certified EMTs and trained to deal with 
hazardous materials and weather emergencies.
  Mark McCurry recently said, ``It takes a crazy person to run into a 
building that everyone else is running out of.'' I think we all agree, 
but no, Chief, it takes an extraordinarily brave man to run into a 
burning building. And this year, your peers have recognized you as the 
bravest of all. Congratulations.

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