[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2351-E2352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ALBERT A. GRENIER AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BALTIC FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and 
dedication of a man who has been a pillar in his community for more 
than half a century. For the past 50 years, Albert A. Grenier has 
dedicated much of his personal time to the Baltic Fire Department and 
the residents of Baltic, Connecticut.

[[Page E2352]]

This year marks his 50th year as a volunteer firefighter for the 
department, and I am honored to offer my sincere thanks and gratitude 
for his many years of service
  Albert Grenier joined the Baltic Fire Department as a volunteer 
firefighter in 1959 where he put his life on the line regularly to 
protect his community and the families of Sprague, Connecticut. During 
his many years as a volunteer firefighter, Grenier also worked for the 
Connecticut Department of Transportation. As a member of the Baltic 
Fire Department, Albert embraced several leadership roles recruiting 
new volunteers, maintaining the department's facilities, and competing 
on the department's recreational Water Team. Most notably, he was a key 
player in establishing the Emergency Squad in 1961, which acted as a 
foundation for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams we see in use 
today.
  While always a public servant, perhaps the most important role Albert 
has played is that of husband, father and grandfather. For the past 57 
years, Albert has been happily married to his wife Rita Fortin, with 
whom he raised three children. Albert and Rita have been blessed with 
five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, our communities are safe because of dedicated 
volunteers like Albert Grenier We are grateful for his extraordinary 
contribution to our region and look forward to his continued efforts in 
the years to come. I ask my colleagues to join me and the residents of 
Baltic in recognizing his decades of service.

                          ____________________