[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING ELGIN FIRE DEPARTMENT'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY IN ELGIN, ILLINOIS 
                           ON SEPTEMBER 16TH

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                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2017

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the Elgin Fire 
Department for celebrating its 150th anniversary. Since Elgin's first 
fire station was established in 1867, it has made an exceptional impact 
on Elgin and its surrounding communities.
   The Elgin Fire Department currently has over 133 sworn firefighters 
who provide life-saving care to a community of more than 180,000 
people. This includes the historic downtown area, two major medical 
facilities, two college campuses, multiple industrial and office parks, 
a growing commercial area, and countless homes.
   Over the past 150 years, the Elgin Fire Department has been a rich 
part of Illinois' history. In July 1869, the Elgin Fire Department 
purchased the James T. Gifford fire engine, which put the Department on 
the front lines of the Greater Chicago Fire in October 1870. To this 
day, the Elgin Fire Department continues to protect the city of Elgin 
and its neighboring communities as well.
   Additionally, the Elgin Fire Department has provided Illinoisans the 
opportunity to immerse themselves in Elgin history. Since 1987, the 
fire department has operated a museum looking back on the remarkable 
work Elgin firefighters have done.
   The Elgin Fire Department touches countless lives every day, and has 
done exceptional work over the last 150 years in the Chicagoland area. 
Mr. Speaker, I am extremely grateful for their work, and I hope for 
their continued success in the future.
   I honor the Elgin Fire Department in Elgin, Illinois on September 
16th.

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