[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE DeKALB COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department for their 
selfless dedication and bravery in protecting our families, day and 
night.
  The DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1975. 
Since then, six more substations have been added. The department 
services 11 communities.
  Without volunteer fire halls, like DeKalb County, many places in the 
Sixth District would lack effective fire protection. In the state of 
Tennessee, over 70 percent of fire service is provided by volunteers. 
Among these volunteers, almost 75 percent work other daily jobs.
  Ensuring our families' safety is not without risk. Sadly, an average 
of two firefighters die each year in Tennessee in the line of duty. In 
2005, the Tennessee Fire Services and Code Academy dedicated a memorial 
on their main campus in Bell Buckle to honor those Tennessee 
firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
  For their willingness to serve, the following members of the DeKalb 
County Volunteer Fire Department deserve recognition: Chief Donny 
Green, SC Ernie Hargis, David Agee, Larry Bain, Duncan Block, Jeffery 
Bogle, LT Anthony Boyd, Patrick Britain, Gray Cantrell, LT James 
Cantrell, Ryan Carlisle, Gelasio Chacon, LT Billy Crymes, LT Kevin 
Curtis, Larry Dalton, Dustin Farris, Claude Foster, Sarah Hash, Timothy 
Hearn, Anthony Johnson, Darrell Johnson, SC Jerry Johnson, Travis 
Johnson, Cathy Jones, Richard Judd, SC Richard Kinsey, LT Michael 
Lawrence, Calvin Martin, Jimmy Martin, Ronald Merriman, Brad Mullinax, 
John Mullins, Robert Myracle, SC Jeremy Neal, Andy Pack, Billy Parker, 
SC Danny Parker, Timothy Pedigo, LT James Pennington, Shawn Puckett, 
Howard Pyles, Jeff Rankhorn, Tim Reynolds, Jason Rice, Wesley Slager, 
Paulino Solorzano, Jerry Summers, LT Anthony Thomas, C. J. Tramel, 
Calvin Tramel, Christopher Tramel, Roy Tramel, Kenneth Waggoner, SC 
Phillip Waggoner, SC Hugh Washer, Jonny Wright, James Young, and LT 
Mark Young, PR Jerry Bain, PR Kelly Cantrell, PR Daniel Green, PR Rita 
Houk, PR Justin Ligget, PR Caleb Roth, PR Jonathan Scurlock, PR Andy 
Snow, PR Shane Turner, and PR Christopher Wyke.
  Honorary Lifetime Members: Honorary Captain Jeff Williams, Wilson 
Williams, Wayne Adcock, R.V. Billings, Mike Cleland, Melvin King, 
Honorary Asst. Chief Roy Merriman and Bob Rice.

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