[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO NEW VERNON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the New Vernon 
Volunteer Fire Department, in the Township of Harding, Morris County, 
New Jersey, a patriotic community that I am proud to represent! On 
September 30, 2006 the good citizens of Harding Township and the 
surrounding area will celebrate the New Vernon Fire Department's 85th 
anniversary at their 54th annual auction.
  New Vernon, in the early 20th century, was a small community within 
Passaic Township with about 300 scattered homes with no electricity or 
radio. The Postmaster and keeper of the general store owned a large 
coach with a long seat on each side, which he used to take groups on 
picnics and other outings. When someone heard of a fire, he hitched his 
team to the coach and took the available men to the site of the fire. 
In the absence of a water supply and pumps, the best they could do was 
to pass buckets of water from hand to hand. Residents were eager for a 
fire department. The New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department was formally 
incorporated in 1921 with approximately 21 members along with the 
Ladies Auxiliary of approximately 35 members.
  The all volunteer fire department has never received financial 
support through taxation. A large portion of the financial support in 
1924 came from a carnival fundraiser, dinners and square dances; today, 
and for the past 54 years, an all-day auction, annual steak and lobster 
dinners, pancake breakfasts and soup contests have successfully raised 
a majority of the money needed to support the fire department. These 
events also are known to be opportunities for town residents to get 
together.
  During the first 50 years of the department's history, the fire 
department responded to over 1,000 calls. In 1995, along with the First 
Aid Squad, they responded to more than 400 calls in that year alone.
  Today, New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ken Noetzli and his 
60 volunteer firemen respond within an area that includes over 1,000 
homes and a major interstate highway. The number of members has grown 
from 21 to 60.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department on its 85 years 
of protecting one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

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