Celebrating Leadership...

                 …Honoring Heroes

On February 24, 2004, the E9-1-1 Institute hosted a celebration in Washington, D.C. to pay tribute to the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus and to honor some individuals who have demonstrated heroism and leadership with respect to 911 services and emergency communications.  Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT), Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Representative John Shimkus (R-IL), and Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) – the co-chairs of the E9-1-1 Caucus – were recognized for their leadership in advancing 9-1-1 and emergency communications issues.

The co-chairs also presented the first annual “E9-1-1 Institute Honors Awards” to 3 extraordinary people have in their own way shown leadership and heroism.  These awards are intended to highlight the critical importance of 911 services and showcase some extraordinary people who have risen to the call to save lives, educate others, and improve emergency services for everyone.

New York Assemblyman David Koon was honored as the recipient of the “9-1-1 Professional” award.  Mr. Koon has become a tireless champion of improving E9-1-1 services in the New York State Assembly.  He recently was successful in allocating $100 million for E9-1-1 services in New York and has continued to be one of our nation’s most passionate voices for 9-1-1 services.


"Assemblyman Koon is joined by Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT), first from left, Congresswoman Ann Eshoo (D-CA), middle, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Gregory Rohde, E9-1-1 Institute Executive Director"

Kristy Wickliff of Southlake, Texas was honored as the recipient of the “Citizen in Action” award.  Six-year Kristy saved her father’s life by calling 9-1-1 in a medical emergency and she stands a message to everyone about the importance of knowing how and when to call 9-1-1.

"Kristy Wickliff and Senator Conrad Burns"

Jim Moore and the Animal Band of Nashville, Tennessee were honored as the recipient of the “Media/Entertainment Excellence” award.  Mr. Moore has been performing educational music for children for several years and his “9-1-1 Song” has actually been credited with saving lives because of children who learned about 9-1-1 through his music.      


"Jim Moore, middle, with Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), left, and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), right"

The Institute received more than 40 nominations from around the country.  Each nomination told the story of a remarkable person or persons who have acted selflessly with bravery and leadership to save a life, teach others, or fight for a better 911 and emergency communications system for their community and our country.

Those who were honored as recipients of the 2004 awards were selected from a class of nominees who stand out among their peers.   This year’s honorees are truly extraordinary individuals, but also represent a broader class of heroes and leaders in our society.   The Institute’s awards are meant to do more than congratulate these winners and nominees.  These awards are meant to remind us all that lives are being saved every day because of our 911 system and that our nation is blessed with many, many dedicated people who demonstrate leadership every day in PSAP call centers, in the streets as first responders, and in their communities as conscientious citizens.

We know that there are men and women throughout the country who are working to make our communities safer, fighting to save lives, and rising to the call for heroism and leadership when presented with an opportunity to make a difference.  The E9-1-1 Institute would like to thank all those who submitted nominations and congratulate those whose actions have been worthy of praise.