[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 173 (Thursday, October 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1438-E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. DAVID HARDT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2017

  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Deputy 
Fire Chief David Hardt upon his retirement from the Watertown Fire 
Department in Watertown, Connecticut after 32 years of service. Deputy 
Chief Hardt has been an instrumental leader in our state's firefighting 
community, and his legacy will contribute to the work of future 
generations of firefighters.
  Deputy Chief Hardt first volunteered for the department in 1985, and 
in 1997, he became the Deputy Chief. Throughout his long tenure, his 
leadership skills and experience have been tremendous assets to the 
town. Deputy Chief Hardt has been willing to take on additional duties 
when necessary and to step up to oversee the department's work in the 
Chief's absence.
  The Watertown Fire Department and surrounding communities have 
benefitted greatly from Deputy Chief Hardt's work over the past 
decades. His work was critical to the opening of the Cheshire Fire 
School to train future generations of firefighters. Never one to shy 
away from helping out his neighbors, Deputy Chief Hardt also served as 
a dispatcher for Naugatuck firefighters and as a fire marshal in 
Bethlehem and Morris. His dedication to helping others is an 
inspiration to all of us and

[[Page E1439]]

show us how we can look for ways to serve our community and country.
  Mr. Speaker, Deputy Chief Hardt has been a true community servant in 
our Watertown for over three impressive decades of service. Therefore, 
it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today, and I wish him a 
restful retirement with plenty of time to spend with his family and 
friends.

                          ____________________