Roby Honors Charles "Chuck" Poland in the Congressional Record
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: February 18, 2013
U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) this week honored Charles "Chuck"
Albert Poland Jr., the Dale County bus driver who was tragically killed on January 29th, by entering into
the Congressional Record a tribute to his heroic actions and sacrifice.
"Mr. Speaker, today we recognize a true hero. Chuck Poland gave his life so that others may
live and, for that, he will always be remembered," Rep. Roby
states
in the record. "As a mother of two young children, I am particularly
moved by the actions Chuck Poland took to protect the children in his
care. It is difficult to even imagine our children being in such
danger. How heartening to know that - whether in a classroom
or on a school bus - people like Mr. Poland are looking out for students
and protecting them.
Rep. Roby spoke of how Mr. Poland died bravely standing between an armed attacker and students
to block them from harm.
"One
of the children might grow up to be a scientist who makes the next big
discovery or
cures a disease. One might start a major company that employs thousands.
One might be a soldier who fights valiantly for our country. One might
be a teacher, a nurse or a firefighter who makes a difference in the
lives of others. But one thing is for sure -
they each have the chance to live a full and happy life because their
bus driver, Mr. Poland, was willing to give his life for theirs."
The full text of the Congressional Record entry can be found below. Rep. Roby has sent a
formal copy of the Congressional Record to Mr. Poland's family.
The
Congressional Record is the official record of proceedings and debates
in the United
States Congress. In addition to votes and legislative discussions that
occur on the House floor, Members may submit written statements to be
preserved in the Congressional Record.
You can find the Congressional Record entry on Mr. Poland attached or at this link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2013-02-12/pdf/CREC-2013-02-12-pt1-PgE127-3.pdf
Congressional Record:
Remembering Charles "Chuck" Albert Poland Jr.
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic actions of Mr. Charles "Chuck" Albert
Poland Jr., a school bus driver from Southeast Alabama who died protecting the lives of the children in his care.
Tuesday,
January 29, started out just like another day for Mr. Poland, who had
worked as
a school bus driver for the Dale County Schools system since 2009.
However, that afternoon while completing his route, an armed man entered
Mr. Poland's school bus and demanded to take children hostage. Faced
with this perilous situation, Mr. Poland rushed
the children out the bus emergency exit and to safety. Standing between
the gunman and the children, Mr. Poland was shot four times and killed.
There is little doubt that Mr. Poland's actions saved lives.
This,
of course, began the week-long hostage standoff, which, thankfully,
ended with the
amazing rescue of the child hostage. But who knows how the situation
might have ended had Mr. Poland not bravely stood in the gunman's way.
Mr.
Speaker, as a mother of two young children, I am particularly moved by
the actions Chuck
Poland took to protect the children in his care. It is difficult to even
imagine our children being in such danger. How heartening to know that
- whether in a classroom or on a school bus - people like Mr. Poland
are looking out for students and protecting
them.
Those
who know Chuck Poland best speak to his quiet, humble spirit. They
note that he would
likely shy away from the attention. Born in Idaho, Mr. Poland made
Southeast Alabama his home in the 1960s. He served in the Army before
settling down as a diesel mechanic. When he retired, he took up a
part-time job as a bus driver. Ultimately, Mr. Poland
was asked to become a full-time bus driver in 2009.
Mr. Poland was a beloved husband to Jan, his wife of over 40 years; a loving father to his
son, Aaron, and daughter, Lydia; and doting 'Paw-Paw' to his three grandsons, Timothy, Ryan, and Blake.
Mr.
Poland and his wife shared a favorite Bible verse, which, in this
moment seems very fitting.
'For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.' - 2
Timothy 1:12
According to his son, Mr. Poland viewed his students as his own children, and he looked after
them as though they were his own. Chuck Poland would be proud to watch them grow up; to see the men and women they become.
One
of the children might grow up to be a scientist who makes the next big
discovery or cures
a disease. One might start a major company that employs thousands. One
might be a soldier who fights valiantly for our country. One might be a
teacher, a nurse or a firefighter who makes a difference in the lives of
others. But one thing is for sure - they
each have the chance to live a full and happy life because their bus
driver, Mr. Poland, was willing to give his life for theirs.
The author Joseph Campbell wrote, 'A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.'
Mr. Speaker, today we recognize a true hero. Chuck Poland gave his life so that others may live and, for that, he will always be
remembered."
