[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   78 YEARS OF SERVICE: THE DELAWARE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the contributions, 
hard work and dedication of a fine, outstanding and caring group of 
individuals in my home State of Delaware: The Delaware Volunteer 
Firemen's Association (DVFA). On the behalf of the citizens of the 
First State, I would like to thank them for their vital and dynamic 
service to our community.
  This weekend, in Dover, volunteer firefighters from Delaware will 
gather to recognize and celebrate their seventy-eight years unselfish 
service and notable leadership to our state. This type of dedication 
and commitment to serving the public is very rare among individuals. 
For many years, dedicated and caring men and women have been trained to 
help prevent or battle fires and perform countless hours of emergency 
medical services for our citizens. For these reasons and many more, I 
believe Delaware's volunteer fire and emergency medical personnel are 
the best in the country.
  Mr. Speaker, during the last year, Donald W. Knight has served as 
president of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association. Like those 
who have preceded him in this capacity he has provided leadership and 
vision to the Delaware volunteer fire and emergency medical service 
community. Under his tenure, President Knight successfully led the DVFA 
efforts to establish improved training standards for Emergency Medical 
Service Volunteers. Additionally, he advocated statewide training for 
emergency responders on potential incidents of terrorism and improved 
services to the sixty member companies of the DVFA. Upon completion of 
his term this weekend, President Knight assumes his new role as 
Delaware State Fire Prevention Commissioner. I have every confidence 
that he will provide the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission with 
the same diligent and hands on leadership that benefitted the Delaware 
Volunteer Firemen's Association so well over the past year.
  As the gavel falls to open the 78th annual DVFA Conference 
celebration, I extend my sincere congratulations and appreciation not 
only as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, but as a former 
Governor who values the leadership, teamwork and dedication the DVFA 
has given to the people of the First State. I hope you all realize how 
deeply your efforts are appreciated.

                          ____________________