[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WEBSTER HOSE, HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY HONORED

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                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the U.S. 
House of Representatives to pay tribute to the outstanding and 
courageous service of past and present Ansonia Webster Hose, Hook and 
Ladder Company firefighters. Since 1897, generations of Webster 
volunteer firefighters have put their lives on the line, time and time 
again, on behalf of the Ansonia community. They've responded with only 
a seconds notice to save the lives of others without even contemplating 
the threatening dangers awaiting them. This kind of selfless and 
courageous work on behalf of the fellow citizens must be honored to the 
highest degree.
  Knowing that during this anniversary year many will focus on the 
factual history of the Webster Hose Company, I want to honor each and 
every firefighter who has so generously given of his or her body and 
heart to the city of Ansonia. The historical collective effort by which 
the company was started is the best demonstration of the tremendous 
dedication Ansonia residents have always had toward their community. At 
that time, buildings were illuminated and heated in ways that 
dangerously exposed families and businesses to fires. Residents wisely 
recognized the need for more firefighters and signed petitions actually 
offering themselves as volunteers for this new company. Because of the 
people's true commitment and dedication, the Webster Company was 
officially incorporated on January 7, 1897.
  Since responding to their first fire on Factory Street that August 
with only one 550 hose cart, the company has since extinguished 
hundreds of fires, including the massive blaze at the Blake Bus Co. in 
the 1950's and the arson of the Arnold Building in 1987 and 5-7 Jewitt 
Street in 1995. They've had tremendous success at saving people's 
homes, retrieving thousands of irreplaceable belongs, and most 
important, rescuing hundreds of Ansonia residents.
  Mr.Speaker, as a State and a nation, we can truly learn a lot from 
past and present Webster volunteers. Their dedication and selflessness 
on behalf of the greater Ansonia community is symbolic of an older 
time, when cities and towns were more rooted and people knew their 
neighbors. We must learn from their example, embrace volunteerism, and 
in turn create stronger communities across our State and Nation.

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