[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 710]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO FIRE CHIEF MATT SHOBERT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2015

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose commitment and contributions to the City of Murrieta, 
California are exceptional. Murrieta has been fortunate to have dynamic 
and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give 
their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live 
and work. Murrieta Fire Chief, Matt Shobert, is one of these 
individuals. On Tuesday, January 20, 2015, Matt Shobert will be honored 
for his devoted and valiant service to the people of Murrieta.
  Matt began his firefighting career in Tucson, Arizona, actively 
working his way to leading the fire department in Sedona, Arizona. He 
then brought his talent and leadership to the Hemet Fire Department, in 
which he served as Fire Chief for three years. Matt was then appointed 
as Murrieta's Fire Chief in March of 2011 in which he enthusiastically 
served the community for nearly four years.
  Chief Shobert holds a Master Degree in Organizational Management, a 
Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and an Associate's Degree in 
Fire Science. In addition, Matt also graduated from the National Fire 
Academy's Executive Fire Officers' Program, has been accredited three 
times as a Chief Fire Officer Designee by the Center for Public Safety 
Excellence and has also been awarded membership into the Institution of 
Fire Engineers.
  Chief Matt Shobert is retiring after incurring a devastating injury 
while doing what he enjoyed most, keeping the people of Murrieta safe. 
Throughout his tenure, Fire Chief Matt Shobert continued the 
distinguished history of the Murrieta Fire Department, working daily to 
improve the partnership held with the community and by enhancing the 
strong sense of camaraderie amongst the firefighters in his department.
  Fire Chief Matt Shobert has been an excellent public servant who has 
consistently provided for the safety and well-being of the community of 
Murrieta. His legacy will serve as a shining example and constant 
reminder of what it means to be a public servant and I am proud to call 
Matt a fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many 
are grateful for his service and salute him in his retirement.

                          ____________________