[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1286-S1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMEMORATION OF CHIEF A. MARVIN GIBBONS

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I had the honor of joining with 
Mrs. Mary Anne Gibbons, a number of firefighters from the State of 
Maryland, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the United 
States Fire Administration, and others in dedicating the National 
Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel in commemoration of Chief A. Marvin 
Gibbons.

[[Page S1287]]

  As I mentioned in Emmitsburg, Mrs. Gibbons is doing a terrific job in 
her position as a member of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 
board--carrying on the good work for which we honored her husband--and 
we are extremely grateful for her continued contributions in this area.
  I also made mention during the ceremony of the many accomplishments 
of the ``Big Chief,'' as Chief Gibbons was affectionately known by his 
many friends and associates. I wanted to make his legacy a part of the 
Congressional Record because throughout his life, I think he embodied 
the qualities which make our firefighters heroes, leaders, and role 
models.
  Ever since I grew up, two blocks from the fire house in Salisbury, I 
have always held a deep and abiding respect for the men and women of 
the fire service. This is not simply because of the willingness of fire 
fighters to put their lives on the line every day, but also because 
they tend to do their jobs with kindness and an infallible commitment 
to serving the citizens of their communities. Indeed, there are few 
persons more deserving of our respect and admiration than those who 
serve as fire fighters and first responders.
  I have long felt that Americans do not pause often enough to consider 
the critical importance of the work that firefighters do--to appreciate 
their sacrifice and the contribution which they make to our nation. 
Throughout his life, Chief Gibbons not only personified the best of 
what it means to be a firefighter and a public servant, but he also 
showed a strong commitment to ensuring that firefighters receive the 
recognition they richly deserve.
  This past weekend's dedication ceremony was indeed a fitting tribute 
to Chief Gibbons' 42 years of lasting contributions to the fire 
service. I want to again touch on one of the contributions he made on a 
national level which is of particular interest to me. As most who are 
involved in the fire service know, it was Marvin Gibbons who helped 
ensure that the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was located in 
Emmitsburg, Maryland on the beautiful campus of the National Fire 
Academy. And it was his vision which led to the unveiling of this 
monument and the first annual National Memorial Service held at 
Emmitsburg in 1982.
  I was proud to introduce and push to enact the legislation that made 
the Emmitsburg site the official National Memorial to all firefighters. 
And in 1990, I spoke at the dedication marking the official recognition 
of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial where I recall quoting an 
editorial from the Carroll County Times entitled ``Firefighters 
Memorial: An Important Reminder.'' I want to again just quote briefly 
from it, because I think this editorial reflects what Chief Gibbons was 
striving to accomplish in establishing the memorial and an annual 
ceremony in honor of our nation's fallen firefighters:

       We take many aspects of life for granted. Not thinking 
     about a service until we need it is an easy way to think . . 
     . But how often do we consider that at a moment's notice, our 
     fire fighters will risk their lives for us? Until the tragedy 
     of fire or some other emergency strikes, we hardly consider 
     it at all.

  Mr. President, behind each name engraved in Emmitsburg is a story--a 
story of courage, dedication and service to others--and I should 
mention that we are working to expand the National Memorial site there 
to ensure that it continues to serve as a lasting tribute to our 
firefighters.
  The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is responsible for the 
National Memorial Service each year so that as a nation we will never 
forget the sacrifice that these brave men and women make in protecting 
us every day. With the dedication of the National Fallen Firefighters 
Memorial Chapel in his memory, we hope to ensure that the legacy of A. 
Marvin Gibbons and his commitment to the fire service will also never 
be forgotten.

                          ____________________