[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ROBERT ``RED'' McKEON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 7, 2009

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Robert 
``Red'' McKeon on being inducted into the Connecticut Firefighters Hall 
of Fame. There is perhaps no one more worthy of such an honor than Red.
  Red has been a leader in his community for over 60 years. In 1944, 
Red joined the Occum, Connecticut Volunteer Fire Department. Red served 
in various roles within the department before becoming fire chief in 
1960, a position he held for 34 years. Red was not only an active and 
committed fireman, but he was also a pioneer. During Red's tenure, he 
ensured that Occum's department led the way in improving the life 
saving services which they provide to the people of eastern 
Connecticut. Occum was the first department in the state of Connecticut 
to employ two-way radio communication in fire trucks and other 
emergency service vehicles. Occum was also the first department that 
employed a computer to develop the skills of its first responders.
  In 1970, Red founded the Occum volunteer ambulance service to provide 
the residents of Occum access to state-of-the-art emergency services. 
Red has also been a pioneer in taking care of his fellow first 
responders. Red led the charge for establishing a pension system for 
volunteer firefighters. Despite putting their lives in on the line 
every day, volunteer firefighters do not receive a pension in 
recognition of their service. Red worked with State and local leaders 
in Connecticut to establish a program that allows local communities 
like Occum to establish retirement programs for volunteer firefighters.
  Red has demonstrated his commitment to our first responders at the 
State, national and even international levels. After serving in the 
Connecticut State Firemen's Association since 1944, he was elected 
State President by his fellow firemen in 1977 and 1978.
  In 1991, Red became the national chairman of the National Volunteer 
Fire Council, the largest volunteer firefighter organization in the 
country, and served in the post until 1994. His leadership within that 
organization and at home in Connecticut received further recognition 
when the Council chose him as the National Firefighter of the Year in 
October 1999. Along with this award, Red was presented with a 
certificate for $2000 from Scott Health and Safety. In keeping with his 
unselfish nature, Red announced that he would donate the proceeds to 
the North Carolina Relief Fund to help fire departments that were 
devastated by Hurricane Floyd.
  Red has also been generous enough to share his talents and expertise 
with the world. Red served as a representative for the United States at 
the World Federation of Firefighters meetings in Argentina, Denmark, 
Indonesia and Japan and is an active member of the International 
Society of Fire Service Instructors.
  After a lifetime of service to his community and his fellow first 
responders it should come as no surprise that Red would be chosen as an 
inductee to the Connecticut Firefighters' Hall of Fame. This latest 
recognition is one that is well deserved, and I applaud my friend Red 
for receiving this prestigious award. We in eastern Connecticut are 
lucky to have such a fine public servant.

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