[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              GEORGETOWN FIRE COMPANY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to give congratulations 
to one of the great local fire departments in Delaware, the Georgetown 
Fire Company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month. 
This anniversary is a tribute to those who had the vision to found the 
fire department and to those volunteers who have carried on this 
tradition all the way through today.
  We are very lucky in Delaware to have such a rich history of 
volunteer community fire departments. With the addition of the 
Georgetown Company, we have had 15 fire companies in our state 
celebrate 100 years of service. In fact, we have even had 3 companies--
Lewes, Carlisle of Milford, and Good Will of New Castle--celebrate 200 
years of service.
  With such successes though, it is easy to forget the humble 
beginnings of many of these departments. On April 11, 1903, the town 
commissioners of Georgetown announced in a town meeting that it would 
be forming a fire company to bring down the cost of fire insurance. 
Before the establishment of a fire company, the community had relied on 
so-called bucket brigades and a hand-drawn ladder wagon.
  When it was founded, there were fourteen charter members of the 
Georgetown Fire Company and only one piece of fire equipment. Today, 
there are almost one hundred members of the company and an entire fleet 
of state of the art fire equipment.
  And as a testament to the unceasing dedication of the volunteers who 
serve in this company and to the respect and veneration it has in the 
community, almost half of the members of the Georgetown Fire Company 
are life members or honorary members. Many members of the company who 
have served their town as volunteer firefighters for decades never stop 
serving.
  The Georgetown Fire Company has become an integral part of the 
community it has served. It has saved the lives and the property of 
many. In the town of Georgetown, everyone knows who the real heros are.
  It is my privilege to share the company's great history with my 
colleagues and with our fellow citizens today. We honor the company's 
100th anniversary and the extraordinary commitment that it has never 
stopped showing to its community. Congratulations to all of the 
officers, members, and friends of the Georgetown Fire Company. It is 
very well deserved.

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