[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1930]]
    A TRIBUTE TO HAMPTON BAYS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER JOHN C. WOURGOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this venerable Chamber to 
ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in 
paying tribute to John C. Wourgola, who has devoted 50 years of his 
life to protecting the lives and property of his family, friends, and 
neighbors as a volunteer firemen in Hampton Bays, Long Island.
  This Saturday, October 4, 1997, John Wourgola will be honored by the 
commissioners, chiefs, officers, and firefighters of the Hampton Bays 
Fire Department for his half-century of exemplary service. Since 1946, 
whenever fire or other peril threatened a member of the Hampton Bays 
community, John was there to answer the call, whether it came in the 
dead of night, on blustery days or in the stifling heat of summer. 
Concerned only with assisting a neighbor or stranger in need, John 
learned to confront the grave danger he and the other firefighters 
faced with a caution respect, confident he could trust in this 
training, his skill, and the abilities of his fellow firefighters.
  While the Hampton Bays Fire Department has been truly blessed with 
many dedicated volunteers, John Wourgola has demonstrated an 
exceptional level of commitment to his community. In his 50 years as a 
Hampton Bays firefighter, John has earned the trust and respect of his 
peers, who have chosen him for numerous leadership positions, including 
lieutenant and captain. John Wourgola remains an active and vital 
member of the Hampton Bays Fire Department, answering the call to duty 
with the same dedication and focus that he brought to volunteer service 
50 years ago.
  Demonstrating that true heroes are created over a lifetime of 
selfless acts and service to their God, family, and country, John 
Wourgola is the perfect model for every volunteer firefighter who will 
come after him. So I ask my colleagues in this esteemed House to join 
me in congratulating John for 50 years of service to the Hampton Bays 
Fire Department.

                          ____________________