[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1754-E1755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE DEALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RESCUE SQUAD ON 
                         THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the past and 
present men and women of the Deale Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue 
Squad. This October, they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary of 
service to the citizens of Deale, MD.
  Prior to the fire company's inception in 1946, the citizens of Deale 
relied upon surrounding communities to provide their fire protection. 
As the population grew, following World War II, it became apparent that 
Deale could no longer rely entirely on other communities and it needed 
its own fire department. In October 1946, a small group of community 
leaders started the Deale Volunteer Fire Department. They were Tilghman 
Franklin, Gordon Phipps, Oregon Nutwell, Ray Clark, Sterling Knopp, 
Maurice Whittington, and Joseph Adcock.
  As with most volunteer fire companies they started off small. They 
didn't have much money and hadn't been in the community long enough to 
establish a very large volunteer base. However, what they lacked in 
resources they more than made up in hard work. Their first fire engine 
was purchased second hand from the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department 
and they used a local businessman's garage as a firehouse. The first 
few years of the department were difficult because the department had 
to be entirely self-sufficient. They raised the necessary funds to 
purchase all the equipment and start construction on a proper firehouse 
by hosting oyster roasts, game parties, and collecting donations from 
the community.
  In 1951, the fire department started receiving tax funds from Anne 
Arundel County. This steady revenue, supplemented by their fundraising 
activities, allowed the department to complete the second stage of the 
firehouse construction which began in 1948. Additionally it allowed 
them to hire Junior Windsor and James ``Tutti'' Revell to be the first 
full-time professional firefighters for the department.

[[Page E1755]]

  The department continued to grow with the community during the 
succeeding four decades. They made three additions to the existing 
firehouse, purchased new equipment, added ambulance service, and 
expanded their volunteer base and their activities in the community. 
Under the able leadership of Chief Tommy Manifold, President Gayle 
Moreland, and Delegates Matt Zang, Tammy Ladd, Jack Browing, and 
Leonard King the Deale Volunteer Fire Department is 71 members strong 
and operates three pumper engines, one ambulance, two brush units, and 
three fire and rescue boats.
  The members of the Deale Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, 
past and present, are all heros. Not because they have all saved a 
child from a burning house, but because for the past 50 years they have 
given their time, their effort, and risked their lives on behalf of 
their community. They don't do it for money. They don't do it for fame 
or acclamation. They do it, Mr. Speaker, because they care. They care 
about the safety of their fellow citizens and they care about the 
welfare of their community above that of their own--and that Mr. 
Speaker is my definition of a hero.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate the 50 years of service the 
Deale Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad has given their community and 
wish them continued success in their mission.

                          ____________________