[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 9490] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING CHIEF DAVID ROHR UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT ______ HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY of virginia in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Assistant Chief of Operations David Rohr, who is retiring from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and will take over as Fire Chief for The City of Fairfax Fire Department. Native to Vienna, Va., Chief Rohr developed an interest in fire fighting at an early age. He became involved with his local volunteer fire department at the age of 16. It did not take long for Chief Rohr to realize this was to become his life's pursuit. Upon graduating from high school, he began working for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Annandale Station. After four years, Chief Rohr was promoted to driver and later Sergeant. Over the next 18 years he continued to move up the ranks to the position of Assistant Chief of Operations. Chief Rohr is an accomplished firefighter and leader in one of the finest and most respected fire departments in the country. Besides its superb service in Fairfax, the department has a world-class urban search and rescue team that has provided critical assistance during the aftermaths of major catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina, the Indonesian tsunami, and earthquakes. The team most recently spent several weeks in Haiti searching for victims of that devastating quake. Chief Rohr's skills as a firefighter are grounded in rigorous education as well as a lifetime of experience. Chief Rohr earned a Bachelor of Science degree in technology and management/fire science from the University of Maryland. He is a graduate from the National Fire Academy's executive fire officer program and has also completed the University of Virginia Darien Business School Senior Executive Institute and Leadership Development Institute. Although Chief Rohr is leaving the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, he will continue to serve residents in the 11th Congressional District as the new fire chief for Fairfax City. His reputation as an effective leader made him the ideal candidate for the position and he was appointed by a unanimous vote of the Fairfax City Council. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking David Rohr for his years of service to the citizens of Fairfax County and to congratulate him on his new position as Fire Chief for the City of Fairfax. He, along with first responders in every community, are deserving of our deepest respect and gratitude. ____________________