[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1568-E1569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING CHIEF DENNIS COMPTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 10, 2019

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Dennis Compton, 
who earlier this year stepped down as Chair of the National Fallen 
Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors after more than eleven 
years.
  Since 1992, I have had the distinct honor of serving as a Co-Chair of 
the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. I have established friendships 
with many members of our nation's fire and emergency services 
throughout those years. I got to know Chief Compton well, attending the 
memorial service for fallen firefighters in Emmitsburg and the annual 
Congressional Fire Services Dinner together with him every year.
  I know it was a difficult decision on his part to step down as the 
Chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Board of Directors. Chief 
Compton has always cared deeply about the mission of the National 
Fallen Firefighters Foundation to honor our fallen heroes, provide 
support to their loved ones, and reduce the number of firefighter 
injuries and deaths. Even though he will no longer serve as Chairman, I 
know he will remain steadfast in his commitment to firefighter health 
and safety.
  In his many different professional capacities, Chief Compton has 
shared his thoughts and knowledge with thousands of firefighters about 
the attributes of leadership, character, and integrity. These 
attributes define who he is as a friend and leader and have earned him 
many well-deserved distinctions and honors from his peers. Indeed, his 
legacy will be felt for many years to come in the countless men and 
women of the fire and emergency services who will carry out their work 
aimed with the lessons he imparted and will surely continue to impart 
in the years ahead.

[[Page E1569]]

  I would also like to honor him for his dedication and commitment to 
our nation's firefighters, for his unwavering support for the family 
members of our fallen heroes, and for his many contributions to the 
bipartisan work of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. Serving as a 
Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I have seen Chief 
Compton's tireless efforts up close.
  Prior to his role as Chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters 
Board of Directors, Chief Compton served in the Phoenix Fire Department 
for twenty-eight years. He also served as Fire Chief in Mesa, Arizona, 
for six years. Chief Compton also served as Past Chairman of the 
Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) National Advisory Council 
and Co-Chairman of the Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates Steering 
Committee.
  Our nation's fire service owes Chief Compton a debt of gratitude. On 
behalf of my fellow Co-Chairs of the Congressional Fire Services 
Caucus, I extend my thanks and appreciation to Chief Dennis Compton for 
his outstanding leadership as Chairman of the National Fallen 
Firefighters Foundation.

                          ____________________