[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 68 (Thursday, April 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VFIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2019

  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize VFIS, a division 
of Glatfelter Insurance Group, as it celebrates 50 years of dedicated 
service to our Nation's fire and emergency services.
  Formerly known as Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services, VFIS was 
established by the late Arthur J. Glatfelter of York, Pennsylvania. A 
Veteran of World War II, Mr. Glatfelter was a U.S. Marine who served in 
the Pacific. The values the Corps instilled in him to serve our Country 
guided Mr. Glatfelter throughout his professional career in supporting 
the men and women of our Nation's fire and emergency service.
  In 1969, Mr. Glatfelter, a well-established insurance agent, 
recognized a need for specialized insurance coverage for firefighters--
a coverage based on their motivations, their aspirations, their needs 
and the risks they were willing to assume to protect others. He 
designed a portfolio of comprehensive insurance coverages that took all 
of these factors into account. Fifty years later, these specialized 
coverages remain the cornerstone on which VFIS has based its insurance 
program for the fire service.
  VFIS is now the leading insurance provider for emergency services 
organizations in the Nation. These organizations include fire 
departments, ambulance services, rescue squads, 911 dispatch centers 
and more. VFIS also provides an array of consulting services and 
training programs focused on the operations of these organizations. 
Aligned with the VFIS insurance program, they are designed to safeguard 
our firefighters in their duties.
  The values that defined Mr. Glatfelter remain embedded in the VFIS 
culture. Current VFIS staff and key agents have over 1,000 years of 
emergency services experiences, representing a significant level of 
giving back to their communities. Many VFIS senior executives are 
involved in organizations that support first responders--organizations 
such as the Congressional Fire Services Institute, National Fallen 
Firefighters Foundation, National Volunteer Fire Council, the National 
EMS Management Foundation and the International Association of Fire 
Chiefs' Foundation.
  On April 27, 2019, VFIS will conduct a 50th Anniversary gathering to 
celebrate this significant milestone. The high standard of protection 
and service that VFIS has provided in supporting our Nation's fire and 
emergency services for 50 years is a milestone worthy of national 
recognition. In 1969, Mr. Glatfelter pursued an idea to develop the 
best insurance program possible to protect our nation's fire and 
emergency service providers. Fifty years later, VFIS is the number one 
provider of insurance and risk management services to fire and 
emergency service organizations in the U.S. I hereby recognize VFIS for 
its 50 years of dedication and commitment to serving those who serve 
and protect our communities and thank Arthur J. Glatfelter for his 
vision and leadership in developing the VFIS Program.
  Congratulations to VFIS on celebrating 50 years of dedicated service.