[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 125 (Thursday, September 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1767]]



    A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTH RICHLAND TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE 
   DEPARTMENT, DEFIANCE COUNTY, OHIO, CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2003

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct privilege to stand before 
my colleagues in the House to pay tribute to a distinguished group of 
citizens in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. On September 13, 2003, 
the South Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating 50 
years of service to Defiance County, Ohio.
  No vocation more embodies the spirit of the American community than 
that of a volunteer firefighter. These modern American heroes--men and 
women of all walks of life and social station--give freely of their 
time and talents to prepare themselves to stand watch for the 
community.
  We, in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District, are blessed to have such 
dedicated citizens as the members of the South Richland Township 
Volunteer Fire Department. In 1953 42 charter members organized under 
the leadership of Chief Clifford Colwell. Remarkably, three of these 
charter members are still active in the department today.
  The department has gone through many changes during its first 50 
years of service. A rescue service was added to the department in 1971. 
The 2-bay fire station was expanded to 5 bays. The lone original 1953 
GMC pumper has been replaced by multiple vehicles, including a 2002 
custom pumper, a 1971 GMC and a 1984 pumper tanker, a 1998 Ford grass 
truck, a 1999 GMC rescue until, a lifeboat, a generator set and a 
volunteer member-owned 1998 GMC tanker.
  During its first 50 years of service, the department has been blessed 
by the leadership of 5 dedicated fire Chiefs--Clifford Colwell 1953-58; 
Clinton Colwell 1958-60; Robert Colwell 1960-80; John Zimmerman 1980-
90; and, Robert Lehman 1990--present.
  At present time, the department has 39 members with a total of over 
571 years of service and experience. Within their membership, the South 
Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department has third generation 
firefighters, and the fourth generation is waiting in the ranks.
  Mr. Speaker, the individuality of the American culture, the freedom 
of the American spirit, and the American value of neighbor-helping-
neighbor is embodied in the tradition of the South Richland Township 
Volunteer Fire Department. I urge my colleagues to join me in this 
special tribute. Our Nation is well served when citizens willingly 
sacrifice for their community. I am proud to represent them in this 
Congress.

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