[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 105 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS FROM AROUND 
             THE NATION TO THE STATE AND PEOPLE OF FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, as co-chairman of the Congressional Fire 
Service Institute I rise today to echo the sentiments of many of my 
colleagues in expressing my thanks and appreciation for all the 
firefighters who have worked so hard in battling the wildland fires in 
Florida.
  The magnitude of the fires and the destruction they have caused is 
almost incomprehensible. In the last two months more than 500,000 acres 
in 67 counties have been burned by 200 separate fires. At least 367 
homes and more than 33 businesses have been destroyed. Estimates are 
that it may take over 100 years for some of the burned acreage to 
return to normal. In short, Mr. Speaker, it has been a devastating 
disaster.
  Thankfully, no lives have been lost. However, 95 people, mostly 
firefighters, have been injured. Many of the firefighters who are on 
the front lines are not even from Florida. Approximately 7000 first 
responders from 46 states have volunteered their time, effort and 
talent to help the people of Florida. From Maryland alone, over 200 
firefighters left their homes and loved ones to battle fires that were 
threatening land they did not own and to protect people they have never 
met.
  For anyone not familiar with the fire service it may sound amazing 
that firefighters from across the country would drop everything to help 
the people of Florida. However, it does not surprise me at all. In fire 
companies across the country firefighters do just that, day in and day 
out. They do not do it for money and they do not do it for fame. They 
do it because, Mr. Speaker, they are committed to bettering their 
community and serving their fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, in acknowledging their service, I would like to include 
in the Record a complete listing of all the Maryland firefighters who 
volunteered to battle the Florida wildfires.
  Anne Arundel County: John Devine, William Evans, Tom Frankhow, David 
Owen; Baltimore County: Adam Bosely, Bob Bury, Andy Caladerge, Matt 
Fox, Charles Janney, Dawn Kaszek, Robert Lepin, William McCabe, Richard 
Muth, Randy Perky, Ron Sheldon, Claude Melcher; Calvert County: Ted 
Allen, Mike Cox, Joe Deltacame, John Gott, Gary Harrison, Rob Helms, 
Jean Miller, Seth Randelma, Rob Schultbur, Walter Taylor, Donnell 
Wallace, Kevin Whittington; Caroline County: Richard Baker, Steven 
Chaall, Donald Hill, Wayne Winchester, Heath Wroten; Carrol County: 
Robert Schoenber; Cecil County: Kevin Bell, Jim Bennett, Shawn 
Buckanian, Robert Caffrey, Adam Dommenic, Josh Eller, Mike Fifona, John 
Graham, Mike Lipka Jr., Mike Lipka Sr., Ron Miller, Aaron Neely, Tom 
Scott, John Smith, John Upp; Charles County: Tim Allen, Michael 
Carroll, Paul Donaldson, Trevor Forrestor, Christi Grey, Brian 
Harrison, Jimmy Herbert, Wayne Higdon, Justin Hutchinson, Scott 
Hutchinson, Dick Irby, Jimmy Jackson, David Jenkins, Tom Jenkins, Tom 
Kellom, Chris Maddox, Tim Massey, Chris Mattingly, Brent O'Neil, Billy 
Pirner, Duane Rice Jr., Tony Rose, Billie Stevens, Chris Thompson; 
Dorchester County: Thomas Coghlan, Brad Dickerson; Frederick County: 
Paul Cullen, Claude Droneberg, Paul Hackey, Mike Hayter, Jeremy Hutton, 
Chris Scneel, Brandyn Thomas; Harford County: Chris Rach; Howard 
County: Jeff Hooasis, Tom Norman, Robert Freeman, David Moynihan, 
George Pearman; Kent County: Randy Barr, Matt Burge, Chris Carter, 
Bobby Helmer, Jimmy Kirby, Antonio Leonardi; Maryland Department of 
Natural Resources: Kenneth Jolly; MEMA: Warren Campbell; Montgomery 
County: Jeff Bennett, Mark Brown, Paul Brubaker, Jay Bureau, John 
Collins, Seth Condon, Tim Dowd, Wayne Drapean, Bill Dunn, Jack 
Ferguson, Sarah Fields, Pam Foltz, Robert Golian, Mark Hopkins, Ken 
Knopp, Larry Lease, Drew Lermond, Bill Lucas, Mike McAdam, William 
McLaghtin, Peggy Miller, Joseph Mills, Rick Morrisey, Jim Roy, Barry 
Smith, Rick Tatum, Justin Thorew, Gina Young; Prince George's County: 
Ernie Alsop, Robert Bramhall, William Corrigan, Bill Edwards, Patrick 
Feehley, Shannon Foster, Scott Glazer, William Hinton, Abree Johnson, 
Gary Kirchbaum, Thomas Maddox, Angela Moore, Chris Ranson, Floyd 
Richerson, Larry Robey, Fred Sheckles, Jack Spencer, Ed Torrence, 
Michael Warhurst, Shannon Welch; Queen Anne County: Eric Arcane, Robbie 
Dixon, Sarah Holloman, Greg Johnston, Andy Robertson, David Steel; 
Somerset County: David Barnett, Brian Barnette, Grover Chatham, Chris 
Holland, Steve Mitchell, Scott Sturgis; St. Mary's County: Kevin 
Bannagan, Gerard Campbell, Andy Cather, Jim Foster, Boots Garner, 
George Gatton, Steve Gobson, Billy Hill, Bill Houle, Michael Huseman, 
Billy Long, C.J. Mattingly, George McKay, LeRoy Owen, and Francis 
Raley.

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