[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12387-12388]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING FLORIDA'S 16TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT FIRE AND RESCUE AND 
                             EMS PERSONNEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2016

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize fire and rescue 
and EMS personnel who have provided distinguished service to the people 
of Florida's 16th Congressional District.
  As first responders, fire departments and emergency medical service 
teams are summoned on short notice to serve their respective 
communities. Oftentimes, they arrive at scenes of great adversity and 
trauma, to which they reliably bring strength and composure. These 
brave men and women spend hundreds of hours in training so that they 
are prepared when they get ``the call.''
  In 2012, I established the 16th District Congressional Fire and 
Rescue and EMS Awards to honor officers, departments, and units for 
outstanding achievement.
  On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, it is my 
privilege to congratulate the following winners, who were selected this 
year by an independent committee comprised of a cross section of 
current and retired fire and rescue personnel living in the district.

[[Page 12388]]

  Battalion Chief Scott Blanchard of the City of Venice Fire Department 
was chosen to receive the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.
  Firefighter Christopher Carver of the North River Fire District was 
chosen to receive the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.
  Chief Brian Gorski of the Southern Manatee Fire and Rescue District 
was chosen to receive the Career Service Award.
  Lieutenant David Hawes of the North Port Fire Rescue District was 
chosen to receive the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.
  Engineer Mathew Redmond of the North River District was chosen to 
receive the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.

                          ____________________