[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE NETCONG FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2005

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Netcong 
Fire Department, in the Borough of Netcong, New Jersey, a patriotic 
community that I am proud to represent. On June 11, 2005, the good 
citizens of Netcong celebrated the Fire Company's Centennial 
Anniversary with special festivities and a parade.
  For one hundred years, the Netcong Fire Department has been 
protecting and serving the residents of their community and surrounding 
towns. Featuring 48 fire companies mostly from Morris, Sussex, and 
Warren Counties, the firefighters on the parade committee have been 
planning the event for the past several years. Fritz Grogan, the 
parade's Grand Marshal, rode in a 1922 Brockway. He has 55 years of 
experience serving in the department, including a two-year term as 
chief in the late 1960s. Well over 1,000 people marched in the parade, 
and the event drew a crowd from all over New Jersey.
  The Netcong Fire Department was formally created in 1905. It was 
badly needed, especially after a fire on Nov. 16, 1903. The blaze was 
so bad that even some buildings in neighboring Stanhope were set on 
fire by flying sparks, although none were destroyed. A history compiled 
by the department says its first piece of equipment was a two-wheeled 
hose cart pulled by the members. Equipment was housed at the Mansion 
house stables on Main Street and Maple Avenue, and the first firehouse 
opened in February 1906.
  Currently the fire department, led by Fire Chief Michael Pellek, has 
about 100 members, half of whom marched in Saturday's parade. Last year 
the department responded to 113 calls, including one fatal fire, and 
this year it has already responded to 50.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the volunteers of the Netcong Fire Department on the 
celebration of 100 years of a rich history in the protection of one of 
New Jersey's finest municipalities.

                          ____________________