[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A CENTURY OF NOBLE SERVICE: COMMENDATION OF THE ENFIELD VOLUNTEER FIRE 
        DEPARTMENT ON THE OCCASION OF ITS CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, never has the noble spirit of 
voluntarism been more important than it is today. And nowhere in the 
Nation is the spirit of self-reliance and gritty determination a more 
integral part of life than it is in New England. Voluntarism and self-
reliance came together in 1896, when the citizens of Enfield, CT, 
formed the volunteer Enfield Fire Department, and they are alive and 
well in the department's service today. And so it is my pleasure to 
offer my commendation to the brave men and women of the Enfied 
Volunteer Fire Department who have served and protected Enfield for 100 
years.
  At a time when our society is seeking real role models for our 
children, we can with confidence point to our Nation's volunteer 
firefighters as true heroes. The galant members of the Enfield 
Volunteer Fire Department, both past and present, have selflessly 
devoted themselves, day in and day out, to saving the lives and 
livelihoods of their neighbors. Without these dedicated individuals, 
the community of Enfield would be at a tremendous loss.
  No matter what is required of them, Enfield's volunteer firefighters 
stand ready to help. Whether responding to an emergency, or preventing 
emergencies from happening in the first place, all the department's 
activities are executed with the highest caliber of professionalism. 
Indeed, the firefighters make a difference every day, conducting safety 
lessons in schools and throughout the community to teach kids and 
others about fire prevention.
  Mr. President, the men and women of the Enfield Fire Department have 
faithfully served and protected Enfield, contributing tens of thousands 
of hours, for a century. Those who served yesterday, serve today, and 
will serve tomorrow, are truly a tribute to the State of Connecticut. I 
am proud of the work done by these fine citizens, and as they celebrate 
their centennial, wish them another hundred years of valiant 
duty.

                          ____________________