[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CENTRAL NEW JERSEY RECOGNIZES THE PLAINSBORO VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY'S 
                            40TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Plainsboro 
Volunteer Fire Company's 40th anniversary.
  Over the last forty years, the members of this organization have made 
a tremendous contribution to their community by protecting their 
residents and assisting other local departments.
  In the days when there were more cows than people in the Township of 
Plainsboro, a handful of farm workers and American Cyanimid employees 
decided to erect a fire station. In the first full year of operation, 
the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company responded to 30 calls for 
service.
  In the early days of the fire company, the alarm was sounded by the 
stationary fireman on duty at a local farm who would blow the farm's 
steam whistle when a fire was reported. Firefighters living in the 
village section of the township could hear the alarm easily. Their 
family members then relayed the alarm by telephone to members living in 
outlying areas of the community.
  The first truck used was a 1940 American LaFrance with a 640 gallon 
per minute pump--which stands in contrast to the current 1750 gallon 
per minute pump that the department uses today. The department has 
continued to update its fleet of vehicles, purchasing the newest and 
most efficient fire-fighting equipment.
  Over the years, the Plainsboro Fire Company has drawn financial and 
moral support from Princeton University, one Fire District, and many 
appreciative citizens. These groups have aided the Plainsboro Fire 
Company by raising the funds to keep the department running smoothly.
  What has not changed about the Plainsboro Fire Company is its 
dedication and commitment to serving the needs of its community. The 
40th anniversary of the department is being celebrated tomorrow at an 
Anniversary Dinner. The dedication and hard work that is continually 
demonstrated by the members of the Company is to be admired. I urge all 
of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of the 
Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company.

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