[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE GORDONSVILLE 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 Gordonsville Fire Department for their selfless 
dedication and bravery in protecting our families, day and night.
  The Gordonsville Fire Department was established in 1968. Currently, 
the department has 19 volunteers on its roster.
  Without volunteer fire halls, like Gordonsville, 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 
Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Department deserve recognition: Chief David 
Blessman, Asst. Chief Jonas Bullington, Capt. Danny Cowell, Lt. Aaron 
Sterling, Chief of Eng. Jimmy Gregory, Donnie Johnson, Matt Baker, 
William Vaughn, Paul Pope, Sam Bowles, Terry Fields, Jerry Cralghead, 
Brandon Ingram, Josh Tisdale, Scott Bennett, Josh Collins, Melvin 
Paulk, Cyrus Shores and Steven Gray.

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