On the recordFebruary 5, 2018
Today I would like to recognize a local fire department from Texas' 25th District, the Somervell County Fire Department. They recently had their annual banquet to honor firefighters for their bravery and their valor. This year, Mr. Matt Peelman and Mr. Brandon Fipps received two of the top awards for 2017. Matt was named the Career Firefighter of the Year, and Brandon was selected as the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Committing one's life to protecting others is no easy task; so to both of these heroes, I want to say thank you. I thank them for their dedication and for putting their life on the line to get everyday Texans out of harm's way. In addition to these two, there are many others at the station who were recognized for their courage: Nathan Huhn, Michael Laviada, Donna Owens, Blaine Stroud, Emma Turner, Jason Sanchez, Jerry Darnell, Ashileen Shepard, Brad Smith, Dakota Stroud, Trevor Crawford, Ben Welch, Fallon Wirsing, Tyler Brown, Kelby Bridwell, David Culp, Nicole Gilbert, Mandy Bradford, Kaine Popejoy, Randy Hurtado, Andrew Vance, and John Mark Thomas. Mr. Speaker, these men and women who serve their local community are a rare find. They are heroes, and I am honored to represent them in the 25th Congressional District of Texas. With that being said, may God bless Texas, may God bless the first responders, and God bless the United States of America. In God We Trust. ____________________
