[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 215 (Tuesday, December 14, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1375-E1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      CHAPEL OAKS V.F.D. 75TH ANNIVERSARY & GORHAM FAMILY TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY G. BROWN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 14, 2021

  Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
75th Anniversary of The Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department and pay 
tribute to Leroy and Lillian Gorham's first born children; Jean, Ruth 
and Leroy, Jr. On Saturday August 23, 1946 these children perished in a 
house fire at 1302 51st Street in the Prince George's County Community 
of Deanwood Park. The tragic loss of these three young lives was the 
cause for the establishment of The Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire 
Department; Maryland's First All-African American Fire Company. Jean 
had just celebrated her 5th birthday and was slated to attend 
kindergarten in the fall, Ruth was a typical 2-year-old toddler and 
Leroy, Jr. was 11-months old and had taken his first unassisted steps 
that day. The Gorham family lived in the middle unit of a 3-unit house, 
where the fire engulfed all 3 units of the house. Neighbor and good 
friend Roy Lee Jordan attempted to save the children, but was 
unsuccessful.
  The first fire department on the scene that day was from the District 
of Columbia. With the fire hydrant connections not being compatible, 
Engine Company 27 had to run their hoses across the busy thoroughfare 
of Eastern Ave. from the District of Columbia side to the Maryland 
side. According to those in the community, the nearby white fire 
stations in Maryland, which were minutes away from the Gorham's home, 
often responded slowly or not at all to emergencies in the surrounding 
African American communities.
  The loss of his three children in a house fire was the motivation 
behind Mr. Gorham and his friend Roy Lee Jordan's personal mission to 
form a fire department and spare others the pain he suffered firsthand. 
Mobilized by this tragedy and determined not to let another person 
perish because of the racial discord, before the end of the year 
without any formal knowledge, experience or equipment; Mr. Gorham and 
Mr. Jordan along with members of the Deanwood Park and Chapel Oaks 
Communities founded the Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department.
  They started out in the 5700 Block of Sheriff Road in a barn rented 
to them by Ms. Eleanor Dodson, where they operated a small used fire 
engine. By August of 1947 the next year, they had a fire engine and a 
fire truck on Sheriff Road. Just as they were starting to make headway, 
in September a fire started in their makeshift firehouse; causing major 
damage to the building and damaging their second fire engine that was 
under repair. Not to be discouraged, the men of this community worked 
evenings and weekends mixing mortar and laying bricks to build a cinder 
block building with their own hands to replace the old barn that was 
destroyed.
  This experience showed the men of this community that delivery of 
emergency services was not only a need, but a calling to fulfill. It 
was this innate spirit that they often had to lean on for strength to 
overcome the challenges and roadblocks they were faced with. They had 
to put up with blatant racial discrimination. They were called racial 
slurs and spat on. And orders given by Black fire officers being 
ignored by white fire fighters.
  Other fire companies supported Chapel Oaks privately, secretly 
leaving their old equipment at the firehouse when no one was around or 
selling their used fire engines.
  Chapel Oaks also had to deal with the fact that the county fire 
association only accepted white males and Chapel Oaks VFD did not 
receive official calls. Yet they responded to alerts by their neighbors 
and often arrived before the officially dispatched units. It was 
routine for these fire fighters to respond to calls in their area 
without being dispatched. This level of dedication was a commendable, 
but it came at a cost. There were attempts to run their engines off the 
road while responding to a call and other fire companies taking credit 
for rescues made by Chapel Oaks was commonplace.
  To meet the requirements to have two Class A fire service vehicles, 
this resilient group of men and grateful community put on bake sales, 
sold dinners, had carnival and held various fundraisers to raise money 
to buy a new fire engine. One volunteer was a businessman who put up 
his gas station as collateral, nine others took out second mortgages on 
their homes to support the effort to buy their first piece of new fire 
apparatus, a 1957 FWD.
  Property at 5312 Sheriff Rd. was purchased for the organization by 
Mr. Charles Lancaster and the members once again set out to build their 
new firehouse. Eleven years after being formed in December 1957 Chapel 
Oaks VFD had a brand-new engine, to move into their newly constructed 
firehouse that they owned and still own to this day.
  A decade and a half after being inspired to train and equip 
themselves, raising fund to buy their own vehicles, and building two 
firehouses. You would think that Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department 
would have done enough to have proven their commitment to the fire 
service and their value to the county. This was not the case as they 
entered the 1960's and they were still not members of the Prince 
Georges' County Fireman's Association. Membership in this organization 
was important not only because of the network of fire fighters to glean 
information from and the official training opportunities; but most 
important was the eligibility to share in the county fire tax that 
would pay for operating expenses. Chapel Oaks had to petition the state 
legislature for a share of the fire tax-receiving 7 percent to other 
stations 31 percent-and residents complained that their local company 
was not automatically dispatched.
  Almost 25 years since the tragic Deanwood Park fire, in March of 
1971, Chapel Oaks was fed up with the obvious discrimination and filed 
suit against Prince George's County. The suit alleged noncompliance 
with the call system and the need for a new firehouse. At the time, 
equipment had broken down that impaired response times to its 
constituents and the station sought emergency funding from the county. 
Willie Rodney, Fire Station 38's chief at the time, summed up the 
frustration with the need for the lawsuit. ``We do the same job and 
come to the same standards as the other companies. But all we've been 
getting are promises, promises, promises.''
  County Executive William W. Gallett threatened to withhold the 
request for emergency funding because of the pending lawsuit. The 
county council granted the funding. By 1980 a new station was built and 
Chapel Oaks Prince George's County Fire Department included them in 
their system by designating the Engine No. 38. They also became members 
of the volunteer association attending annual convention, winning many 
parade trophies and garnering much deserved respect for their 
accomplishments.
  Chapel Oaks has been a great asset to the community not only for 
delivery of emergency services, but the numerous lives that have been 
enhanced by their experience after serving with Chapel Oaks. Among them 
are Mr. Luther Cruchfeild who was the First African American to be 
hired by Prince George's County Fire Department and Retired Fire 
Inspector Lenard Lewis was hired later and became the first African 
American to be promoted. There also was a young teen named Johnathan 
Bolden who just hung around the firehouse giving him something 
productive to do. Now a local businessman he has served in many 
positions at Chapel Oaks, VFD including Chief. As one of the few 
African American instructors he has filled a vital role at the 
University of Maryland College Park Fire Rescue Institute, and is a 
Prince Georges' County Fire Commissioner. He credits Chapel Oaks and 
the fire fighters there for nurturing his interest in the fire service 
and setting the foundation for his work ethic. There are generations of 
fire fighters serving in Maryland, Virginia and the District of 
Columbia fire departments that have been motivated, trained and 
mentored by The Chapel Oaks Fire VFD. They can always use good people 
and are excited about the opportunity to find new recruits, welcome 
them in the Chapel Oaks Family and train another generation of fire 
fighters.
  The tragic death of Jean, Ruth and Leroy, Jr. was the driving force 
for their parents to create a legacy for them. They were determined 
that their children's death would not be in vain. Mr. Gorham held 
numerous offices during his 54-year career at the Chapel Oaks Volunteer 
Fire Department, including Chief, President and Chairman of the Board. 
He was a very active life member. His wife Lillian was also a member of 
the Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary in the early 
years of its formation. With this year being the 75th Anniversary of 
the tragic fire which took these three young lives. I would like to pay 
tribute to Jean Gorham, Ruth Gorham and Leroy Gorham, Jr. They have 
done more in their death than many get to do in their lives. I would 
like to acknowledge the strength of their parents Leroy and Lillian 
Gorham. I would also like to recognize Mr. Roy Lee Jordan for his 
heroism and bravery, along with his determination to assist in the 
legacy of the three children that he was unable to save. I would be 
remiss not to commend the aforementioned communities and the countless 
numbers of people who have helped build, grow and maintain Chapel Oaks 
Volunteer Fire Department. In addition, I want to thank the current 
leadership of Engine 38 ``The Oaks'' as they continue to provide 
services to Prince George's County. On this 75th Anniversary I wish all 
the best to future members of Engine 38 and their contributions to the 
fire service and Prince George's County.

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