[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4845]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF MERLIN REPSHER FOR 50 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE WITH 
                THE BANGOR, PENNSYLVANIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Merlin 
Repsher, who was recognized on Saturday, April 6, 2013 by his fellow 
firefighters for 50 years of brave service and leadership with Rescue 
Fire Company No. 1 of the Fire Department of Bangor, Pennsylvania.
  Within those five decades, Mr. Repsher served as the chief engineer 
of the company. He also served as Fire Chief for five years. Merlin 
additionally always served as a mentor and trainer to new recruits, 
passing on his extensive knowledge to the next generation of 
firefighters. In that capacity, he worked as a teacher in the 
Northampton County Fire School.
  Firefighters are often known for their dramatic acts of courage and 
quick-thinking in the field, but I understand that what a small 
community sometimes needs most is dogged dedication to the basic 
public-serving roles, including the civic administrative roles, on 
which everyone in town depends. Being there for one's neighbors--and 
always being there--is a quality to which we should all aspire. Fifty 
years in a demanding position, assisting those in need week in and week 
out, is quite an impressive record.
  I ask everyone in Bangor and northern Northampton County to join me 
in congratulating Merlin Repsher for his decorated service to his 
community.

                          ____________________