[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 3, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6271-S6272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Remembering Louis J. Amabili

  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Lou Amabili, a true 
Delawarean, a fantastic, dedicated, and tireless volunteer, a gentleman 
who dedicated his life and service to others.
  Mr. Louis J. Amabili, the son of Italian immigrants, rose from 
volunteering at his local volunteer fire company to become one of the 
most important and trusted voices in the American fire service. Lou 
passed away last Thursday, September 28.
  Lou was a giant in the fire service community, and his decades of 
dedicated service are a testament to how much he cared about his 
calling and his neighbors. Lou was a legend in the Delaware 
firefighting community, especially in my small hometown of Hockessin, 
DE. Lou proudly served the Hockessin Fire Company for 70 years, holding 
every position one could possibly hold--chief engineer, first and 
second assistant chief, along with vice president, president, president 
emeritus, and director.
  Lou was a humble, down-to-earth, passionate, and caring gentleman. He 
rarely sought the limelight, even as he was often thrust into it. He 
could walk into any event, whether a national convention or just a 
local meeting, and know an individual's name, making them feel as if 
they were the most important person in the room.
  Lou embodied the term ``public servant,'' which so many of us aspire 
to, yet he quietly and with dignity achieved this for decades. He heard 
his calling to serve his community, and he embraced it with dedication 
and a quiet passion.
  There was no greater ally of firefighters in Delaware or across the 
country than Lou. His continued service of seven-plus decades set the 
highest standard of dedication to the volunteer fire service.
  I first had the honor of meeting Lou around 2000 when I was county 
council president. Over my decade of service in New Castle County 
government, Lou was a frequent source of powerful advice, 
encouragement, insight, and occasional correction. I always looked 
forward to seeing him, whether at a county meeting, a State meeting, or 
at a national organization meeting. I was always certain I would get 
honest, direct, and constructive feedback from Lou about how things 
were going at home and how things were going nationally for America's 
firefighters.
  Lou's nationally recognized service is long and impressive. He first 
gained national recognition in the fire service when President Richard 
Nixon appointed him to serve on the National Commission for Fire 
Prevention and Control in 1970--the Commission that produced the 
landmark report, ``America Burning.''
  A graduate of Conrad High School and of the University of Delaware 
with a degree in chemistry, Lou was appointed the first director of the 
Delaware State Fire School in 1964 and served in that capacity for more 
than three decades through 1996. Upon his retirement, then-Governor Tom 
Carper, my senior Senator, signed a resolution naming the Delaware 
State Fire School the Louis J. Amabili Fire Training Center.
  From 1973 to 1980, Lou served as president of the International 
Society of Fire Service Instructors. From 1978 to 1986, he served as a 
charter member of the National Fire Academy Board of Visitors. Lou also 
served on the NFPA board of directors for 6 years in the 1980s and was 
chairman of the Fire Department Instructors Conference in 1979 and 
1980.
  Widely respected by his colleagues, the president of Congressional 
Fire Services Institute, William F. Jenaway, said:

       Throughout his entire career, Lou was fully committed to 
     the health and safety of the men and women who have served in 
     the fire service. He was always willing and eager to share 
     his knowledge with both aspiring and veteran firefighters and 
     cared deeply about preserving the fire service's rich 
     heritage. It was an honor to serve with him for many years on 
     the CFSI Board of Directors. I valued his friendship as did 
     my fellow board members. . . . His contributions to our 
     organization and to the nation's fire service will preserve 
     his legacy as a legendary leader for many years to come.

  While the fire service and the safety of his fellow firefighters was 
his passion, his family was his love. Lou's wife of nearly 60 years, 
Carmella, was his constant companion as he traveled extensively to 
national conventions, local meetings, or speaking engagements. Lou's 
daughter Janice; his son Louis Junior and his wife Bridget; his 
grandson Louis J. Amabili III and his wife Lacie; and Lou's great-
grandchildren, Lyza and Silas, will be forever proud of his legacy of 
service to Hockessin, to Delaware, and to our Nation.
  Lou was an inspiration to generations of volunteers, first 
responders, and firefighters, not just in his home company in our small 
town of Hockessin but to all the firefighters of Delaware and our 
country.
  Lou Amabili was exactly the sort of man on whom the safety of our 
Nation has been built and whose service and dedication to his community 
and his neighbors will never be forgotten.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cruz). The Senator from Louisiana.

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