[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 107 (Wednesday, July 24, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H4992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING HELEN SILLIMAN AND FLOSSIE BRAGG

  (Mr. COLLINS of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. COLLINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor to 
recognize the contributions of two great women from New York's 27th 
Congressional District.
  Tonight, Helen Silliman and the late Flossie Bragg will be honored in 
South Wales for becoming the first female firefighters in Erie County 
50 years ago.
  It was back in 1963 when Helen and Flossie decided to join the ranks 
of what was then an all-male department. In doing so, they made history 
in not only South Wales, but all of Erie County.
  As a result, Helen and Flossie became pioneers for women in the fire 
service in western New York, leading the way for women to join the 
ranks of volunteer fire companies, which is now commonplace.
  Today, it is estimated there are 35- to 40,000 women involved in 
volunteer fire services across this great country.
  I want to thank and acknowledge Helen and Flossie for helping to lead 
the way.

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