[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17026]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         HONORING THE GATEWAY/UNAWEEP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, fire fighters place their lives on the line 
every time they battle a blaze. This challenge requires serious 
training, dedication and compassion for other human beings. The 
Gateway/Unaweep Volunteer Fire Department in Colorado was experiencing 
difficulties until a team of individuals collaborated to rekindle the 
spirit of the department and enable it to become a reliable emergency 
response unit once again. Due to this unwavering persistence, the 
Gateway/Unaweep Volunteer Fire Department has been able to once again 
become a viable community resource and I would like to acknowledge and 
congratulate the efforts of the members of the department for all that 
they have done.
  Fire fighting in this area of Colorado did not always have the 
benefit of modern tools. This basic level of equipment did not deter 
Dean Rickman, a web site designer from Chicago, from relocating and 
joining the department. After being inspired by Oprah's Angel network, 
Angela Morgan decided she would help others through involvement in the 
fire department. Shane Burton has tackled the position of being the 
assistant fire chief in charge of all the other duties. Through 
numerous hours of coordination and examination, these and other members 
patched the fire department back together and have created a 
sustainable plan to ensure its vitality. Currently they are seeking 
ways to make it more financially stable and have recently launched a 
new program called Project Human Touch to make certain that victims 
have access to supportive resources.
  The Gateway/Unaweep Volunteer Fire Department persists diligently for 
the benefit of their community. Through their hard work, the members 
have been able to increase the department's fleet size and upgrade the 
coverage area and equipment.
  Mr. Speaker, the services these volunteers provide are priceless in 
any community. Although such a role always requires a sacrifice, the 
fire fighters at the Gateway/Unaweep Volunteer Fire Department have 
gone above and beyond the call of duty to resurrect this fire 
department and sustain operations once again. I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize the sincere sacrifices the members of the 
department have made and extend my best wishes to them in many years to 
come.

                          ____________________