[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 42 (Friday, March 9, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR OF RICHARD ``DICK'' MORRIS ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE COURTNEY--

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 9, 2018

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a dedicated public 
servant, Richard Morris, at the time of his retirement, for his 
lifelong career in service of the residents of East Lyme, CT. As town 
fire marshal for the past 27 years, Dick has become an institution in 
the community, and his commitment and leadership will not be forgotten.
  Dick's first foray into firefighting came as a teenager, when he 
began volunteering with the Niantic Fire Department. This general 
interest eventually became a professional career for Dick and in 1986, 
he became fire inspector. Over the years, Dick climbed the ladder to 
deputy fire marshal, assistant fire chief, and finally fire marshal in 
1991. In this role he also served as emergency management director for 
the town, guiding residents through difficult situations, including 
storms and power outages.
  In addition to being fire marshal, Dick is also Chairman of the board 
for the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association and serves as the town's 
harbormaster. In that position he advocated at the state and federal 
level for policies and funding to upgrade Connecticut's homeland 
security and improve training for first responders. Previously he was 
President of the Connecticut chapter of the International Association 
of Arson Investigators.
  The town of East Lyme has been lucky to have Dick and I'm confident 
he will find new ways to contribute to the community for years to come. 
I ask my colleagues to please join me in wishing him a happy 
retirement.

                          ____________________