[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            LOUIS J. AMABILI

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, today I would like to say something about a 
hero. The distinguished historian Stephen E. Ambrose says that we need 
to teach our children about heroes. It is by understanding the 
contributions of great men and women that our youth set standards of 
achievement for themselves. Common heroes provide a sense of unity and 
inspire us to aim a little higher than we did the day before.
  This week in Delaware, an outstanding man is being recognized for his 
more than 50 years of service to community, State, and Nation. His name 
is Louis J. Amabili. He's a loving husband, a devoted father, an 
attentive grandfather, and fearless firefighter. He's a man who, for 
half a century, has risked his life to protect the lives and property 
of others.
  Louis is my friend, and I am honored to count him among my friends. 
He is a member of the Hockessin Fire Company and the founding Director 
of the Delaware State Fire School. For 32 years, he served as director 
of that school, leading it to its current pre-eminent position as one 
of the leading fire training facilities in the United States.
  During his tenure, the Delaware State Fire School not only built its 
facility in Dover, but established training centers in Sussex and New 
Castle Counties, providing fire training centers within 30 minutes of 
every fire company in Delaware.
  In additions to these many successes, Louis Amabili also served as 
president of the New Castle Volunteers Firemen's Association, the 
Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association, and the International 
Association of Fire Service Instructors. Richard Nixon appointed him to 
the Fire Prevention and Control Commission, and Delaware Governor Pete 
DuPont recognized him with the ``Order of the First State.''
  Mr. President, Louis Amabili is one of the most well-recognized fire 
service leaders in America. He served on the Board of Directors of the 
National Fire Protection Association, and chaired the Fire Officers 
Professional Qualifications Standards Committee for more than a decade.
  Louis was a member of the International Fire Service Training 
Association and received their highest honor for his role in fire 
service training. He chaired the Joint Council of National Fire Service 
Organizations and helped establish the National Fire Service 
Professional Qualifications System.
  He serves as a member of the board of directors of the Congressional 
Fire Services Institute--which I have the honor of co-chairing--and he 
has received that institute's highest honor, the CFSI Fire Service 
Person of the Year Award.
  On this occasion, as Louis Amabili retires from a distinguished 
career, it is my privilege to recognize his years of selfless service, 
the lives he has touched, the lives he has taught, and the lives he has 
saved. I want to express my gratitude to his wonderful wife, Carmen, to 
his son Louis Jr., and to his daughter, Janice, and I want the record 
to show without question that we do, indeed, still live in a time of 
heroes. Quite often these valiant men and women live right next door.

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