[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MINQUAS FIRE COMPANY NO. 1 OF 
                              NEWPORT, DE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to commemorate an important anniversary of service to the Town of 
Newport and the entire State of Delaware.
  On May 21, 1907, concerned citizens met in the historic town of 
Newport to discuss the formation of a fire company. At the time, there 
had been numerous fires which destroyed properties before the already 
established fire companies in Wilmington, New Castle and Newark could 
arrive and fight the blazes. After much discussion and debate, Lt. 
Governor John M. Mendinhall suggested to the 68 founders that the 
company should be named the Minquas Fire Company No. 1 commemorating a 
tribe of Native American Indians who traded with early settlers along 
the Christiania River.
  From its genesis, the Minquas Fire Company has taken great pride in 
providing volunteer fire rescue and emergency medical services to the 
citizens of greater Newport. They began by purchasing property in the 
unit block of North James Street. Several extensions and expansions 
have taken place over the years the most recent being the erection of 
an ultra modern facility in 2005.
  Minquas' first President Howard P. Weldin and Chief Thomas Bullen 
oversaw the original building project and the construction of the first 
fire house. In 1908, a horse drawn chemical engine was purchased from 
Radnor Fire Company of Pennsylvania for $1,000 and put in service at 
the brand new station.
  Today President Curtis Clifton and Chief Michael Saggione command the 
Fire Company. Through their leadership, Minquas has continued to 
acquire the latest fire, rescue, ambulance apparatus and equipment to 
respond to the emergency service needs of their community. The 
Company's Motto ``We go where duty calls'' exemplifies the volunteer 
spirit of the men and women of the Minquas Fire Company No. 1.
  I am proud of the contributions the volunteers of Minquas have made 
to Delaware over all these years and I congratulate them on this 
important milestone of 100 years of service.

                          ____________________