[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1367-E1368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO DONALD ``CY'' WALSH ON 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO VOLUNTEER 
                       FIREFIGHTING IN RIVERHEAD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
heroes of our Long Island community. Donald ``Cy'' Walsh has served the 
Riverhead Fire Department with 50 years of devotion and selflessness on 
behalf of his neighbors. This small-town hero and World War II veteran 
has volunteered his time, energy, and leadership to the Riverhead, and 
community service has been the recurring theme of his life. He will be 
honored for that lifetime of service by the Riverhead Volunteer 
Firemen's Association on July 8, 1997.
  Cy Walsh joined the Riverhead Fire Department in 1947, where he 
started as a volunteer member of Fire Police Patrol #1. His hard work, 
dedication, and perseverance in response to midnight calls and 
harrowing blazes were rewarded in 1953, when he was elected as the 
captain of his patrol. By 1955, ``Cy'' Walsh was quickly moving up the 
ladder of the Riverhead Fire Department having been elected by his 
peers as third, second, and first assistant chief. In 1962, Cy's many 
years of committed volunteerism culminated with his election to chief 
of the Riverhead Fire Department.
  An outstanding fire chief, Cy's work on behalf of Riverhead and the 
firefighters of Suffolk County was far from complete. He served as 
sergeant-at-arms of the Riverhead Fireman's Association for 5 years and 
has been chaplain since 1970. He also served on the Southampton-East 
Hampton-Shelter Island Chief Council, including a year as president in 
1970, and as president of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen's 
Association. Cy reached out from Long Island's east end and lent his 
vision and enthusiasm to the people of New York State, serving with the 
New York State Firemen's Association, and as the chairman of the Fire 
Police Committee. His many positions of leadership in the firefighting 
community are a sign of the high esteem that Cy's peers hold him in.
  At the age of 85, Cy is still serving the town of Riverhead, as 
chaplain of the North Fork Volunteer Firemen's Association and as one 
of the chaplains of the Riverhead Volunteer Firemen's Association. As 
his 50-year volunteer career shows, Cy Walsh epitomizes the ideals of 
service and leadership that America was built on. He has touched many 
lives in the past 50 years--in meeting rooms and firehouses and in the 
shops and restaurants of

[[Page E1368]]

his hometown. His wife Kay, along with his 4 children 16 grandchildren, 
and 5 great grandchildren are also proud of Cy Walsh, as are his fellow 
firefighters and community members.
  Therefore, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives 
to join me in saluting Donald ``Cy'' Walsh on the occasion of his 50th 
anniversary of service to the Riverhead Fire Department. 
Congratulations, Cy.

                          ____________________