[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 21, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE PENNGROVE SOCIAL FIREMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MIKE THOMPSON-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Penngrove Social Firemen and the 100th anniversary of the opening of 
the Penngrove Social Welfare Club House.
  The Penngrove Social Welfare Club was established in 1919 by a group 
of women from Penngrove, California, who were holding monthly social 
meetings at their homes. They held dances and card games at other halls 
in the area, but needed a place of their own to serve their community. 
The Penngrove Social Welfare Club and the Penngrove community pitched 
in to donate their time, money, and energy to construct the Penngrove 
Community Clubhouse where a Grand Opening was held on March 10, 1923. 
One month later they hosted the club's first public dance, charging a 
50 and 75 cent admission fee.
  In 1929, the Penngrove Social Welfare Club donated a parcel of land 
to build the much-needed firehouse for the Penngrove Volunteer Fire 
Department. More than two decades later, the fire department purchased 
four acres of land to develop the Penngrove Community Park. At this 
time the Penngrove Social Firemen were formed. In 1963, the Penngrove 
Social Welfare Club sold the clubhouse to the Penngrove Social Firemen. 
Since then, the clubhouse has served as a meeting place for folk 
dancers, Finnish community members, 4-H meetings, voting, and 
fundraiser dinners. In 1976, the Penngrove Parade was established by 
the Social Firemen to honor the country's Bicentennial and the parade 
has continued to be held ever since. Community members have fond 
memories of their elementary school graduations and Christmas pageants 
in the grand building on the corner of Woodward and Oak Streets.
  From its humble beginnings the Penngrove Social Firemen has been an 
entirely self-funded, non-profit organization. The dedicated team of 
directors, officers, and members volunteer their time to maintain the 
clubhouse and the community park with an emphasis on supporting the 
community. The Firemen support many beloved community organizations 
such as Penngrove School, Rancho Adobe Fire District, Petaluma Little 
League, Boys and Girls Scouts, Christmas for Kids, Penngrove 4-H, and 
Petaluma FFA.
  Mr. Speaker, it is evident that the Penngrove Social Firemen have 
devoted themselves to serving our community. Therefore, it is fitting 
and proper that we honor them here today.

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