[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO CLIFTON E. ARMSTEAD, OUTGOING CHIEF OF THE WILMINGTON FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

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                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
as a member of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus to honor and pay 
tribute to a leader in the firefighting community--Clifton Armstead 
outgoing Chief of the Wilmington Fire Department. Clifton Armstead is 
an outstanding, dedicated and caring Delawarean with an abundance of 
accomplishments in this field. On behalf of myself and the citizens of 
the First State, I would like to honor this outstanding individual and 
extend to him our congratulations on his 36 years in the fire 
department.
  Today, I recognize Clifton Armstead for his long and distinguished 
career in the Wilmington Fire Department. On January 4th 2002 Mr. 
Armstead will officially retire from a post that he has held since 
2000, but from a fire department that he has been part of for over 
three decades. He has provided service in a manner that has brought 
distinction not only to himself but to the entire Wilmington Fire 
Department.
  Family, friends and fellow firefighters can now take a moment to 
truly appreciate the world of difference Clifton Armstead has brought 
to the firefighting community. He has served for many years as a member 
of Engine, Ladder and Rescue Companies as well as the Training Unit. 
Mr. Armstead was promoted to Lieutenant in 1983 and appointed Deputy 
Chief of Operations in 1993 where he served for seven years before 
being appointed Chief of Fire in January of 2000.
  Clifton E. Armstead has spent all of his life helping the community 
of Wilmington and all of Delaware. Mr. Armstead graduated with the 
Class of 1962 from Wilmington High School. He also attended Delaware 
Technical and Community College, the National Fire Academy and the 
Delaware State Fire School. Of particular interest are the many 
supervisory and management classes that have helped him to become such 
a successful and important leader to the City of Wilmington.
  Mr. Speaker, with his wife Dawn at his side, and his daughter Jaye, 
the Armstead family proudly and unselfishly contributes every day to 
the quality of life at home in their community and our entire state.
  Mr. Clifton E. Armestead's contributions cannot be commended enough. 
As he retires from the Wilmington Fire Department we can be sure that 
his contributions will not end. His commitment to fighting fires and 
saving lives has earned him a permanent place in Delaware's fire 
service history.

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