[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO THE FIREFIGHTER CONGRESSMAN

                                 ______


                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, on April 30, 1996, the Congressional Fire 
Services Caucus will pay tribute to the champions of public safety at 
the Eighth Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. Over 3 
million citizens throughout our great Nation dedicate their lives to 
preserving our communities against the threat of fire and other types 
of disasters. They include firefighters, EMS providers, search and 
rescue teams, arson investigators, and instructors. The list goes on 
for somewhere, in each of our communities, we can name an acquaintance 
of ours who is prepared to respond when the alarm sounds.
  Our understanding in Congress of the many challenges facing first 
responders has been enhanced throughout the years primarily because of 
one individual. Curt Weldon, our firefighting Congressman, is unique to 
Washington politics. Very few individuals who have served in this 
institution have been able to unite members from both sides of the 
aisle behind one cause.
  Today, the Congressional Fire Services Caucus is the largest caucus 
in Congress. With an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, the 
Fire Caucus is a tribute to the relentless efforts of Curt Weldon to 
achieve greater recognition for first responders on Capitol Hill. 
Throughout the 8-year history of the Caucus, our dear colleague has 
traveled to the scenes of our country's worst disasters in recent 
memory. He was in New York City to witness the horrible aftermath of 
the World Trade Center bombing, in Dade County, FL, following Hurricane 
Andrew, and southern California after the Northridge earthquake. And 
each time he would return from these incidents, Curt would share his 
findings with fellow members to help us better understand the 
significance of these events and what Congress can learn from them.
  On issues of great significance to the fire service and EMS, my 
colleagues and I often defer judgment so that we can follow Congressman 
Weldon's lead. When casting his vote on fire service issues, Curt is 
guided by his years of experience as a firefighter, where he rose 
through the ranks to become chief of the Marcus Hook Fire Department in 
Marcus Hook, PA. Each of the seven major fire service organizations, 
despite their differences on issues, can all come to an agreement when 
the issue is the benefits they have derived from one man's belief in 
their respective missions. That man being Curt Weldon.
  When my fellow Fire Caucus cochairmen and I join the 2,000 national 
fire service leaders at the forthcoming dinner, we do so in thanks and 
appreciation to our dear friend, Curt Weldon. This past year, he has 
endured some setbacks, most recently the passing of his mother, 
Catherine Weldon. A volunteer for charitable causes throughout her 
lifetime, Mrs. Weldon leaves behind a legacy supporting the fire 
service, American Red Cross, and other local causes. Her attributes 
touched many, most importantly her nine children.
  What amazes me most about Curt is despite these setbacks, he 
continues to perform as if he were still a fire chief for Marcus Hook. 
Whenever the alarm sounds on Capitol Hill, Curt takes expedient action, 
always working in cooperation with his colleagues, to resolve whatever 
the emergency might be.
  A friend first, and colleague second Curt Weldon represents the best 
in public service.

                          ____________________