[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW JERSEY FIREMEN'S HOME, BOONTON, MORRIS 
                           COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the New 
Jersey Firemen's Home located in Boonton, New Jersey on the occasion of 
their 100th anniversary. This anniversary marks the culmination of a 
long, proud history of providing housing for retired, disabled and 
indigent firefighters of all ages in the State of New Jersey.
  The firefighter's home was the vision of Bird Spencer, President of 
the New Jersey Firemen's Association. A couple of years before the turn 
of the century, at the nineteenth annual New Jersey State Firemen's 
Association convention, President Bird Spencer addressed the need of 
suitable housing for the state's firemen. He promised that he would 
make an effort to obtain legislation for the purchase and building of 
such a place.
  Early records indicate that on April 2, 1898 the New Jersey Firemen's 
Home was incorporated by the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly and 
on June 27, 1898 the Firemen's Home was purchased.
  On June 23, 1900, President Bird Spencer's promise was realized as 
the doors of the New Jersey Firemen's Home were officially opened 
during a dedication ceremony attended by Governor Voorhees. In 
September 22, 1900, the first two New Jersey firemen from Paterson, New 
Jersey entered the home as the first residents.
  For over a century the Firemen's Home has offered housing for any 
paid or volunteer firefighter who has served at least one year on a 
department, or who was injured while on duty. Since its inception, the 
New Jersey Firemen's Home has housed approximately 1,775 men. Some have 
been guests others have been long-time residents. Today the home is 
operated by a twenty-three member board and the staff is made up of one 
or two firefighters from each county in the State of New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout its long history, the New Jersey Firemen's 
Home has provided a place to live for retired and injured firefighters 
from across the state. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, to 
please join me in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the New Jersey 
Firemen's Home.

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