[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1852-E1853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATING THE NEWTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Kittatinny Hose 
& Ladder Co. #1 and Steam Co. #1 on their 125th anniversary of service 
to the residents of Newton, New Jersey. These two companies of the 
Newton Fire Department will be honored for meritorious service during 
the Sussex County Fireman's Inspection Day Parade on Saturday, October 
3, in Newton. The Newton Fire Department this year has the honor of 
hosting the parade, which honors the hard-working volunteer 
firefighters of the entire county.
  Volunteer firefighters are among the most dedicated public servants 
in our communities. They set aside their own convenience--indeed, their 
own safety--to protect the lives and property of their neighbors and 
ask nothing in return. Volunteer firefighters turn out to

[[Page E1853]]

do their duty in the darkness of freezing winter nights and in the heat 
of suffocating summer days without hesitation. The officers and members 
of Kittatinny Hose & Ladder Co. #1 and Steam Co. #1--along with all 
members of the Newton Fire Department--deserve our gratitude and 
thanks.
  Kittatinny Hose & Ladder Co. #1 and Steam Co. #1 were both 
incorporated in September 1873 and throughout their long and 
distinguished histories have protected both lives and property through 
the dedication and skill of their many volunteer members. Both have 
grown vastly in personnel, equipment and other resources over the 
years. Today, they are among the finest firefighting organizations in 
the State of New Jersey.
  Both fire companies keep their heritage alive with lovingly 
maintained pieces of antique fire apparatus that show how far 
firefighting has come since the last century. Kittatinny Hose is the 
proud owner of an impressive 1849, four-wheel Hose Carriage, while 
Steamer Co. #1 owns a distinctive 1873 Clapp and Jones Steamer. Both 
will be on display in Saturday's parade.
  Kittatinny Hose & Ladder Co. #1 and Steam Co. #1 have come a long way 
from the hand-pulled fire wagons of the 19th century. Today's state-of-
the-art engines and high-tech equipment put Newton on par with any 
other fire department in the region. But it takes more than equipment 
and buildings to run a fire department. It takes dedicated, hard-
working individuals willing to put the safety and property of their 
neighbors first. Kittatinny Hose & Ladder Co. #1 and Steam Co. #1 were 
founded 125 years ago on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors. 
That principle has made them a success and will continue to do so in 
the future.
  I would like to ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
congratulating Kittatinny Hose & Ladder Co. #1 and Steam Co. #1 on 125 
years of meritorious service to the community and in paying tribute to 
their brave and dedicated firefighters past and present who have 
sacrificed personal safety in response to the needs of others. The 
Newton Fire Department and all members of all the fire departments of 
Sussex County deserve our deepest thanks for their work on the behalf 
of our community.

                          ____________________