[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 106 (Thursday, August 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  J.W. EDMONDS HOSE CO. CELEBRATES 200 YEARS OF FIGHTING HUDSON FIRES

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                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 4, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, those of you who have visited my office 
have noticed the display of fire helmets that dominates the reception 
area. They're there for two reasons.
  First, I had the privilege of being a volunteer fireman in my 
hometown of Queensbury for more than 20 years, which also explains the 
second reason, the great respect that experience gave me for the 
volunteers who provide fire protection in our rural areas.
  Mr. Speaker, in a rural area like the 22d District of New York, fire 
protection is often solely in the hands of these volunteer companies. 
In New York State alone they save countless lives and billions of 
dollars worth of property. And no unit has been doing it longer than 
J.W. Edmonds Hose Co. No. 1 of Hudson, NY.
  The State of New York has recognized the company as the oldest 
active, continually volunteer fire company in the State.
  Coincidentally, the second oldest unit in New York State is H.W. 
Rogers Hose Co. No. 2, also of Hudson.
  J.W. Edmonds Hose Co. No. 1 was formed in April, 1794, 7 months 
before H.W. Rogers Hose Co. One wonders how many alarms the company has 
answered in those 200 years, how many homes saved, and how many human 
beings and livestock rescued from smoke and flames.
  And throughout those 200 years, the company has been made up of 
volunteers from all social classes and economic levels, from farmers to 
teachers to grocery clerks. What they have had in common is a desire to 
help their neighbors. Nothing, Mr. Speaker, is more all-American.
  On August 20, a fireman's parade will be held in celebration of those 
200 years of service. This is one ex-fireman who hopes to be there to 
march with them. Today, I would ask all Members to join me in tribute 
to J.W. Edmonds Hose Co. No. 1 for its two centuries of outstanding 
fire protection.

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