[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JOHN SULLIVAN UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
lifetime of service of Fire Chief John (“Jack”) Sullivan to 
the community of Bondsville, Massachusetts. His commitment to his town 
should be an example to us all of an answer to the call of duty and 
responsibility to our Nation. America's firefighters play a vital part 
in our communities and deserve more recognition for their role.
  “Jack” Sullivan began his career in public service when 
he joined the National Guard in 1952. After three years with Company 
“B” 104th infantry, he was granted an Honorable Discharge. 
He then became a member of the Operating Engineers Union, Local #98. 
“Jack” retired from that organization after 38 years of 
involvement.
  In 1967, “Jack” joined the Bondsville Fire Department. 
About one year later, Bondsville endured one of the worst fires in its 
history. “Jack” fought the Bondsville Mill Fire alongside 
over 500 firefighters from 18 different fire departments. The blaze 
burned for over 24 hours and caused a great deal of damage to property 
in the town. Most of the effort to fight the fire was simply to prevent 
it from spreading.
  Due to his exemplary service, “Jack” quickly became a 
captain and ultimately, in 1977, he rose to the position of Fire Chief. 
He has filled that post for the past 25 years. In that time, he has 
been able to obtain a substantial amount of equipment for the training 
and safety of his firefighters. His dedication to the community of 
Bondsville does not stop with his commitment to the Fire Department; he 
was a member of countless committees to improve the safety of the town.
  After 35 years with the Bondsville Fire Department, he has decided to 
retire. The Bondsville community is greatly indebted to Fire Chief 
Sullivan for his years of service. Indeed, we are, as a Nation, 
eternally grateful to all our firefighters for their selfless 
contribution to our society.

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