[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE HAMTRAMCK FIREFIGHTERS AND THE 5TH ANNUAL ST. FLORIAN 
                                 MARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2002

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, as members of the Hamtramck Firefighters 
gathered together to celebrate the patron saint of firefighters, St. 
Florian, they celebrated a feast day cherished by firefighters 
everywhere. Honoring the patron saint of firefighters, brewers, 
chimney-sweeps and others, St. Florian is remembered in the Catholic 
tradition for many miracles, including the extinguishing of a huge fire 
with a pitcher of water and stopping a town from burning by throwing a 
single bucket of water on the blaze. Celebrating their fifth 
consecutive march on Saturday, May 4, 2002, the Hamtramck Firefighters 
continued the tradition of celebrating and honoring the miracles of St. 
Florian.
  As the city of Hamtramck, Michigan is home to the St. Florian 
Catholic Church, each year the Hamtramck Firefighters celebrate this 
feast day by marching from the Hamtramck Firehouse to the St. Florian 
church for a special celebration of mass. Inviting departments from 
across the state of Michigan and Ontario, Canada, communities 
everywhere choose this day to recognize their firefighters and the 
countless contributions they have made to their communities.
  Our great state of Michigan is home to patriotic citizens who give so 
much to this country everyday. This year is no exception for the 
Hamtramck Firefighters, who continue to stand together ready to offer 
relief and assistance to fellow Americans in this time of greatest 
need. The Hamtramck Firefighters have also chosen this day to celebrate 
the unity and brotherhood of firefighters, a brotherhood that reaches 
far beyond religious and ethnic barriers. Their actions reflect the 
unity and strength of Americans.
  Firefighters are an integral part of every community in this nation. 
As the Hamtramck Firefighters and firefighters everywhere celebrate the 
holiday commemorating St. Florian, we join them in their tribute and 
honor the contributions firefighters have made to our great country.

                          ____________________