[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF DEPUTY CHIEF CHARLES L. BIDWELL OF THE 
                     BRIGHTON AREA FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2000

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today I pay special tribute to Deputy 
Chief Charles L. Bidwell for his 50 years of outstanding service to the 
Brighton Area Fire Department. His colleagues and friends will be 
hosting a dinner on September 19 in recognition of his wonderful 
career.
  Deputy Chief Bidwell has been an active, on-call firefighter with the 
City of Brighton Fire Department and the merged Brighton Area Fire 
Department since September 14, 1950. He retired from General Motors 
Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan and served as Deputy Chief since 
1988. Deputy Chief Bidwell was recognized by the City of Brighton Fire 
Department as Firefighter of the Year in 1987 and most recently, by the 
Michigan State Firemen's Association, as Firefighter of the Year for 
2000.
  Mr. Speaker, the Brighton area is very fortunate to have benefitted 
from the leadership, dedication, sacrifice and hard work of Deputy 
Chief Bidwell throughout his 50 years of service. As the leader in 
alarm response for the past decade, he has certainly contributed 
significantly to the safety and well-being of the citizens he has 
served. It is my honor, and indeed great pleasure, to stand in 
recognition of a man who has given so selflessly of his time and 
energy.
  On behalf of the 8th district of Michigan, I would like to express my 
sincere appreciation for Deputy Chief Bidwell's many immeasurable 
contributions.

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