[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 15332] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RETIREMENT OF CHIEF LANSON W. RUSSELL ______ HON. BILL FOSTER of illinois in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chief Lanson W. Russell on the occasion of his retirement from the DeKalb Fire Department. I join with the city of DeKalb in thanking him for 44 years of dedicated community service. Chief Russell began his distinguished career in 1964 as a volunteer with the Peotone Fire Protection District. In 1975, he established Will County's first paramedic unit, and was promoted to chief in 1984. From 1988 to 1992, he served as fire chief in Villa Park, Illinois, then moved on to Downers Grove for the next 9 years. During his tenure there, Chief Russell worked with neighboring communities to develop joint hazardous materials, technical rescue, and cause and origin teams. Under his guidance, the Downers Grove Fire Department was among the first 44 agencies in the country to receive Accredited Agency Status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Chief Russell arrived in DeKalb in 2002, and immediately set out to strengthen the department's relationships with Northern Illinois University and neighboring departments. He led the negotiations that resulted in a 4-year collective bargaining agreement, and worked to foster an effective labor-management relationship. Chief Russell received an associate's degree in Applied Science from Joliet Junior College, and a bachelor of science in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University. He continued his education at the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and the University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute. Chief Russell's tireless service to his community over 44 years has been exemplary. I wish him a happy retirement, and extend my deepest gratitude. ____________________