[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STUYVESANT FIRE COMPANY NO. 1

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                          HON. JOHN E. SWEENEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2000

  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the golden anniversary of 
the Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1, located in Stuyvesant, NY. For 50 
years, the members of this great company have selflessly dedicated 
their lives to helping their neighbors and friends, often putting their 
own safety on the line to do so. It is with great pride that I share a 
bit of their history with you and my fellow colleagues today.
  July 18, 1950, marked the beginning of the Stuyvesant Fire Company 
No. 1. The first company meeting, held at the Stuyvesant Hotel, was 
attended by 38 members. At this meeting it was decided that dues of 
$0.25 would be assessed to the charter members. The ensuing months were 
dedicated to establishing by-laws and a constitution for this promising 
new company. Fundraisers were held, earning the company the funds that 
were needed to build the house that would proudly bear the name of the 
company. In 1952, the Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1 house was erected. 
The first official meeting was held within its walls on March 11 of the 
same year.
  Fundraising has been a major theme of the firehouse, empowering the 
members of the community to take an active role in the betterment of 
this vital service. The diligent fundraising efforts of the company 
through events such as roast beef dinners and raffles, have allowed the 
company to make continuous improvements, thus improving its service to 
the citizens of the community. In fact, as a result of these efforts, 
in 1974 the firehouse was able to build a bay for a new fire truck at 
no cost to taxpayers.
  In 1982, the fire company endorsed George Treitler as a director of 
the Columbia County's Firemen's Association and the next year he was 
elected as a director, which subsequently brought the 67th annual 
Columbia County Firemen's Association Convention to Stuyvesant in 1992. 
This honor was the culmination of years of hard work. Not only was the 
67th Convention a great success, it set the precedent by which future 
conventions would be judged. In addition, the funds generated by the 
convention enabled the fire company to complete many projects and 
purchase needed equipment in subsequent years.
  The Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1 continued its tradition of 
excellence in 1996 and 1997 by winning the coveted Edward Rowe Trophy 
for best overall appearing fire company in the county. Winning this 
prestigious award in two consecutive years placed the company in an 
elite group of county fire companies with only two other companies 
being able to boast such a claim.
  Mr. Speaker, the Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1 has achieved epic 
levels of success. They stand as proof that with hard work and 
dedication, great things can happen. I would like to thank them for 
their commitment to excellence and wish them many more years of 
prosperity.

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