[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1568-E1569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A TRIBUTE TO THE SMITHTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join my friends and neighbors in Smithtown, Long 
Island as we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the 
Smithtown Volunteer Fire Department.
  Since 1908, the residents of Smithtown have entrusted their most 
precious possessions--their families--to the men and women of this 
historic fire department. That trust is well-founded, for Smithtown's 
volunteer firefighters are devoted to their duties, courageously 
shielding their family, friends and neighbors from all dangers. 
Compensated only by the satisfaction that their efforts save lives and 
protect property, these volunteers have answered every alarm for 90 
years. I am proud and honored to count these brave firefighters and 
emergency services personnel among my friends and neighbors.

[[Page E1569]]

  Ninety years ago, the residents of this North Shore Long Island town 
recognized the need to protect their rapidly growing community. 
Starting with just a horse-drawn hook-and-ladder truck purchased for 
$75, the Smithtown Volunteer Hook and Ladder company opened on March 8, 
1908. The Smithtown Fire Department now protects its residents, homes 
and businesses with the most sophisticated firematic equipment 
available. Today, the department proudly displays its historic 
firefighting apparatus and equipment at area parades and festivals.
  The Smithtown Fire Department is part of Long Island's proud 
tradition of volunteer firefighting, a tradition that was never more 
evident than in August of 1995, when thousands of volunteers fought the 
two most destructive wildfires to strike Suffolk County this century. 
Though these fires burned miles from their own homes, Smithtown's 
firefighters joined thousands of other volunteers who risked their 
lives battling brush fires that consumed nearly 4,000 acres of Long 
Island Pine Barrens in Rocky Point and Westhampton. Miraculously, 
thanks largely to the efforts of these brave volunteers, not a single 
human life was lost in the fire and the total property damage was kept 
to a minimum.
  Speaking to the community's local newspaper, the Smithtown Messenger, 
Smithtown Fire Chief Michael Felice spoke proudly of the dedication his 
firefighters bring to the job of protecting their community and the 
people who live in it. Smithtown firefighters ``take a lot of pride in 
giving something back to the community. They work closely with a lot of 
people. You have to count on people 100 percent, because life is always 
on the line.''
  Service to our fellow man is the hallmark of a civilized society and 
the courageous selflessness of all volunteer firefighters is an example 
that all of us in this historic House should honor and recognize. That 
is why, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me on this 90th 
anniversary in saluting the courageous, devoted volunteers of the 
Smithtown Fire Department. May God keep them safe, just as they have 
worked to keep safe the Smithtown community.

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