[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 102 (Friday, June 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E623-E624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF CHIEF ROBERT TARDIF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 11, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of a 
distinguished public servant in my district, Chief Robert Tardif. On 
June 12, 2021, Chief Tardif celebrates an incredible milestone of 50 
years in service to the Baltic Fire Engine Company, No. 1. While it is 
an honor to reflect upon and commemorate graceful and dedicated tenure 
of Chief Tardif, it should be emphasized that his service as an 
essential community leader will only continue from here.
  Born in the Taftville section of Norwich in 1956, Robert was inspired 
at an early age to public safety from his Father who also served as a 
firefighter--in both Norwich and Sprague, Connecticut--for an entire 66 
years. An instrumental figure in his life, Robert's father served until 
his passing. Five years after his family moved to Sprague, Robert began 
his career of public service at the age of 15 as a Firefighter Cadet 
for the Baltic Fire Engine Company No. 1. After three years as a cadet, 
he was accepted by a unanimous vote to become a full-time firefighter. 
The rest is history. Robert climbed the ranks of the department as he 
braved years of danger on the front lines fighting fires and assisting 
in an array of other public safety missions including the 1994 ice 
flood, which resulted in significant damage to the downtown area of 
Sprague. Chief Tardif was crucial in the ensuing rescue missions in 
that disaster and helped get rescue boats to residents in danger of 
drowning from the incredible floods.
  As a firefighter, it has always been ingrained in Chief Tardif to put 
others before himself. As a member of the local and essential workforce 
community, however, there was no one in better standing to become Chief 
of the fire department than him when he took the reins in 1999. Chief 
Tardif has not only fought for his department against fire and calamity 
but has worked to ensure that his team and department are best equipped 
to serve the public to the best of their ability. I know this to be 
true as he has personally worked with my office on numerous occasions 
to attain FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants to ensure his units 
are equipped and prepared for safety with the most up-to-date 
protective and emergency gear.
  When not serving Sprague, Robert serves the common good through his 
work as a union carpenter with United Brotherhood of Carpenters and 
Joiners of America, Local 1302.

[[Page E624]]

Through his work as a union carpenter, Robert has worked at Electric 
Boat, a submarine manufacturer and economic powerhouse in our region, 
for more than 46 years, serving in numerous leadership roles for his 
union including President and Vice-President. Robert currently leads 
Local 1302 under the position of Business Agent/Chief Steward--a 
position he has held since 2003. To this day, Chief Tardif works to 
ensure that carpenters at Electric Boat are well equipped and versed in 
the most modern safety procedures and go home just as they came in. He 
has made a significant difference during his time at Electric Boat, 
working hand in hand with the company to prioritize safety on the job 
site.
  We are truly fortunate to have a leader in public safety in our midst 
who serves the public good in so many different forms. Chief Tardif is 
not only my colleague in public service but a friend, and one who has 
even come to my own personal aid when I was left with a flat tire on 
the road one hot summer day with no wrench. He never hesitates to help 
those in need.
  Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to ask the chamber to join me in 
celebrating Chief Tardif's 50 years of service to the town of Sprague. 
Chief Tardif's inspirational and as piling career are perfectly 
encompassed in his own mantra on why he chose a life of public service 
which is that, ``My Father had done it forever--and he inspired me to 
work to make a difference--no matter big or small--as long as it was 
helping someone.'' To that end, I ask that my colleagues in the House 
join me in congratulating Chief Tardif for his 50 years of service with 
the fire department and Electric boat and wishing him thanks for the 
many more milestones to come in a truly decorated career. I wish him 
and his son Robert Tardif II continued success and happiness.

                          ____________________