[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9089-S9090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF THE WEBSTER HOSE HOOK AND LADDER CO.

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President. I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Webster Hose Volunteer Fire Co., which is celebrating 100 years of 
loyal service to the city of Ansonia, CT.
  Anyone familiar with the early days of the Webster Hose Co. can truly 
appreciate how much this unit has evolved during the past century. The 
Webster Co. started 100 years ago when 20 courageous individuals were 
authorized by the board of aldermen to undertake all fire-fighting 
duties for the city of Ansonia. This fledgling fire department was 
named the Webster Hose Co., in honor of Ansonia's mayor Erwin W. 
Webster, and in 1903 the name was changed to the Webster Hose Hook & 
Ladder Co.
  The number of firefighters quickly grew to 50, and these volunteers 
overcame many obstacles in order to serve the people of Ansonia. 
Perhaps their biggest handicap was the rudimentary firefighting 
equipment that was available to them. Their primary firefighting device 
was a 550-pound hand-drawn cart, equipped with a large hose. Manually 
transporting this cart through Ansonia's hilly terrain was difficult to 
say the least, and many early members of the Webster Co. suffered 
broken arms and legs as they miscalculated the number of people 
necessary to slow the vehicle down, or the direction it would take on a 
hill. To say that these early members had to go above and beyond the 
call of duty in performing their jobs would be a tremendous 
understatement.
  But thanks to the extraordinary efforts of these founding members and

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other members of the Webster Hose Co., this unit has survived and 
evolved into a modern fire department that is highly trained to save 
the lives and property of the people of Ansonia.
  In celebration of their centennial birthday, the Webster Hose Co. has 
been chosen to host the 114th Connecticut State Fireman's Convention. 
This convention will culminate in a parade of hundreds of firefighters 
through downtown Ansonia on Sunday, September 14, 1997. I am honored to 
have the opportunity to walk in this parade, and I hope that the day's 
activities will serve as a fitting tribute to not only Ansonia's 
firefighters, but to all the men and women of Connecticut who risk 
their own personal safety as they confront danger to safeguard the 
well-being of others.
  The men and women of the Webster Hose Co. exemplify the highest 
standard of community service. They also serve as role models for their 
long-standing commitment to their community. Some of the current 
Webster members are the direct descendants of the fire service's 
founding fathers, and it is refreshing to see this spirit of public 
service passed on from one generation to the next. Without these 
dedicated individuals, the city of Ansonia would be at a tremendous 
loss.
  I appreciate this opportunity to commend the Webster Hose Co. for a 
century of outstanding service, and I wish them well as they continue 
to serve their community in the years to come.

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