S906 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 23, 2007 Flint and a regional manager in my Hummel was nominated for a Pul- ting-edge approach to community Flint/Saginaw/Bay office in the Senate, itzer Prize in 1980 and the National emergency response shines as a model Connie has been my link to the com- Sportswriters and Sportscasters Asso- for all communities in Kentucky and munity. She is a respected community ciation named him Missouri Sports- the United States. This is a true exam- leader in her own right. Through the writer of the Year on four separate oc- ple of Kentucky at its finest and a years, she has mentored interns and casions. Now as the 57th winner of the leadership example to the entire Com- staff members, many of whom have J.G. Taylor Spink Award, presented monwealth.∑ caught her zeal for public service and annually for ‘‘meritorious contribu- f have kept in touch with her long after tions to baseball writing,’’ Hummel they left the office. will be recognized in a permanent ex- TRIBUTE TO JANE BOLIN My staff and I will miss her sense of hibit at the National Baseball Hall of ∑ Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, today humor, boundless energy, optimism Fame. He joins such legendary sports- I honor the life and legacy of Ms. Jane and enthusiasm, although I am certain writers as Red Smith, Ring Lardner, Bolin. that retirement will not stop her from Grantland Rice, and Damon Runyon. Jane Matilda Bolin of Queens, NY, staying involved. I also know that I congratulate Rick Hummel on this passed away on Monday, January 8, many people in Michigan, whose lives achievement and recognize his accom- 2007 after a lifetime of public service. she touched through her work, will plishments throughout his long and In 1939, Ms. Bolin was the first Black miss her. successful career. woman to become a judge in the United Upon leaving the Senate, Connie f States, and she continued to serve hon- plans to spend time in Florida, where ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS orably on the bench for the next 40 she will be closer to one of her daugh- years. Her lifelong dedication to social ters and her three precious grand- justice, civil rights, and to the better- children. She has a love for life that is TRIBUTE TO ERLANGER, ment of our American society serves as contagious and I know her family will KENTUCKY, FIRE DEPARTMENT an inspiration to us all. appreciate having more of her time and ∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I A trailblazer in so many arenas, Ms. attention. wish to pay tribute to the city of Er- Bolin pursued her goals in the face of Mr. President, I am sad because I am langer, KY, which is the recipient of widespread discrimination and preju- losing a trusted and valued member of the 2006 Award for Municipal Excel- dice. She was the first Black woman to my staff, but I am happy to see a dear lence at the National League of Cities’ graduate from Yale Law School, the friend move on to new challenges, and Congress of Cities. This city’s Tiered first to join the New York City Bar As- I wish her the best of everything. Advanced Life Support System Pro- sociation, and the first to work in the f gram for Emergency Medical Services city’s legal department. In addition to RECOGNIZING RICK HUMMEL earned Erlanger the Gold Award, which being a fellow Yale Law graduate, she Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise is presented to cities that have a popu- and I also share the same under- today to honor one of our Nation’s fin- lation below 50,000 people. By winning graduate alma mater. Ms. Bolin at- est sportswriters, Rick Hummel, and this prestigious award, the Erlanger tended Wellesley College in the 1920s as congratulate him on receiving the J.G. Fire Department and Emergency Med- one of only two Black freshmen. She Taylor Spink Award, the highest honor ical Services, EMS, team exhibit the went on to graduate as a Wellesley awarded by the Baseball Writers Asso- power of hard work as well as their Scholar, an honor given only to the top ciation of America. dedication to their community while 20 students in her class. The great sportswriter, Red Smith, serving as an example to the rest of the Ms. Bolin’s tenacity set a powerful once said ‘‘There’s nothing to writing. United States. example for the women of my genera- All you do is sit down at a typewriter Since 1989, the goal of the Awards for tion. In 1958, she commented on the and open a vein.’’ He meant, of course, Municipal Excellence has been to rec- struggle for women’s rights that ‘‘we that writing is not easy. Sports writing ognize cities that improve the lives of have to fight every inch of the way and can be particularly challenging, but citizens in their communities. These in the face of sometimes insufferable when done well it can be some of the awards identify and feature out- humiliations.’’ And Ms. Bolin never best journalistic writing there is. Rick standing city and town programs that stopped fighting. She spoke out against Hummel does it well. show innovation in enhancing the qual- segregation in her native Those who know Hummel best call ity of life in America’s communities. Pougkheepsie. She used her position on him the ‘‘Commish’’ a nickname he The fire department and city of Er- the bench to end the assignment of pro- earned by organizing the newsroom’s langer recognize the need to have para- bation officers and the placement of softball and bowling league teams. medic response and transport capabili- children in childcare agencies on the Over the years, the moniker has taken ties for the safety and welfare of the basis of race. As a family court judge, on deeper meaning. Today, it serves as citizens in its community of 17,000 peo- she heard cases ranging from homicides a nod to his extensive knowledge of the ple. After debating several options, and battered spouses to child support game of baseball and as a tribute to his they found a fire service-based EMS de- and paternity suits. venerable career. livery model that was affordable and Jane Bolin was truly a remarkable Rick Hummel was born and raised in could be enacted immediately. This woman. Quincy, IL. He graduated from Quincy model provides two cross-trained EMS I offer my deepest sympathies to her High School in 1964, went on to earn a firefighters on a transport rescue unit, son, Yorke B. Mizzle, and to all those degree from the University of Missouri followed by a cross-trained firefighter whose lives she enriched. My thoughts School of Journalism, and then served paramedic in a staff car who can assist and prayers are with her family during in the U.S. Army for 3 years. and ride in the rescue ambulance with this difficult time.∑ Hummel joined the staff of the St. the patient. If the patient does not f Louis Post-Dispatch in 1971. At the need advanced life support, the para- Post-Dispatch, he learned the ropes, as medic is ready to respond immediately TRIBUTE TO JOHN AND JILL many sportswriters do, by covering to the next emergency call. This model MAHAN high school athletics. Hummel was delivers the best medical care available ∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I given his first chance to write about and keeps more firefighters on the pay tribute to John and Jill Mahan, an the World Champion St. Louis Car- street to deliver the highest quality exceptional young couple from Ken- dinals in 1973. By 1978, covering the fire protection. This joint partnership tucky who are the recipients of the Cardinals was Hummel’s full-time job. has made a positive difference in both American Farm Bureau Young Farm- He spent the next 24 years as a beat re- fire and EMS delivery services in the ers and Ranchers National Achieve- porter and continues to write for the community of Erlanger. ment Award. By winning this pres- Post-Dispatch as a regular columnist. I congratulate the city of Erlanger, tigious award, the Mahans exhibited an Hummel is passionate about baseball, KY, for receiving this Award for Mu- unprecedented passion and skill for but as a writer he is known for his un- nicipal Excellence. By using an innova- farming, beating out competition from complicated style and humility, as well tive approach to address an important across the United States. as his ability to work with players, community need, they have created The American Farm Bureau Young coaches, and managers alike. this outstanding program. This cut- Farmers and Ranchers National

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