[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 140 (Friday, August 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING VERDINE DAY, DETROIT'S FIRST BLACK WOMAN FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RASHIDA TLAIB

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 30, 2019

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Ms. Verdine Day 
for her many years of service to the City of Detroit's Fire Department, 
on the occasion of her retirement.
  Ms. Day has served the Detroit Fire Department for more than thirty-
three years. She has risen through the ranks to become the department's 
first Black woman Fire Engine Operator. Ms. Day possesses a strong work 
ethic and has always remained generous and willing to mentor or help 
out a colleague in need. Her dedication to fair and just treatment was 
also instrumental in adopting a pregnancy policy for women of the 
Detroit Fire Department with the assistance of the late City 
Councilmember, Mary Ann Mahaffey. Ms. Day has been recognized for her 
achievements by being awarded the Spirit of Detroit Award and being 
named 2019 Woman of the Year by the City of Detroit, at the Annual 
Women in Blue ceremony. Her heroism in the line of duty has earned her 
two citations for the rescue of civilians.
  During her tenure, Ms. Day has represented fire fighters on several 
fronts with proven results. She served as an elected union official 
with the Detroit Fire Fighters Association for fourteen years. In that 
capacity she has served as 8th Battalion Director, Secretary, Vice 
President, and currently holds the position of Treasurer of the 
Association. During those terms she also chaired various committees to 
include the Political Action Committee, the Joint Health and Safety 
Committee, Public Relations, Human Relations and Grievance committees.
  Beyond her service to the public, Ms. Day has been an active 
community volunteer. For the last nineteen years, she has orchestrated 
the ``Engine 40 Back to School Backpack project'', securing thousands 
of backpacks loaded with school supplies for youth. For the last 
fourteen years, she has led the ``Fill the Boot Campaign'', raising 
money for children for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Ms. Day has 
also coordinated with Gleaners to provide bryakfast for children in the 
summer, served as a camp coach in Burn Camps and the Junior Fire Cadet 
Program.
  Outside of her many commitments, Ms. Day still finds time to enjoy 
traveling, riding motorcycles, and playing softball. Her stellar 
softball skills landed her in the Michigan United States Specialty 
Sports Association Hall of Fame. Ms. Day shares her life with her 
loving family, spouse Ronald Day and her four children.
  Please join me in saluting Senior Fire Engine Operator Verdine Day 
for her thirty-three years of bravery and service to the public as we 
wish her well on her retirement.

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