[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5149-5150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO STEPHEN E. KAVANAGH CHIEF OF AETNA HOSE, HOOK AND LADDER 
                              FIRE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2002

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to honor and pay tribute to a leader in the Delaware firefighting 
community--the Chief of Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company in Newark, 
Delaware, Stephen E. Kavanagh. Chief Kavanagh is a courageous and 
dedicated leader whose personal mission is to protect and save the 
lives of Delawareans. On behalf of myself and the citizens of the First 
State, I would like to honor Chief Kavanagh and congratulate him for 
being selected by the Congressional Fire Service Institute to appear in 
their annual ``Protecting America'' painting.
  Stephen Kavanagh joined the Wilmington Manor Fire Company in 1970, 
establishing for himself a fine track record in advancing the quality 
of fire and emergency services throughout Delaware. In 1979, Steve 
moved to the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark, Delaware 
and it is here that he really made his name. Having held a number of 
officer positions in the Company, Steve Kavanagh was elected Chief in 
1999. Aetna Hose, Hook and Fire Company is one of the busiest fire 
companies in the State and leading this company is both a challenging 
and rewarding task for Chief Kavanagh.
  Chief Kavanagh has protected the residents of Newark, Delaware 
through good times and bad times. Throughout the tragic events of 
September 11th, he was a pillar of strength and a protector of safety 
in the community. He calmed the fears of Delawareans and stood resolute 
to help his state and his country in any way he could.
  In addition to the time he spends as Chief of the Company, Steve is 
also a skilled craftsman who works on custom aircrafts for Dassault 
Falcon Jet at the New Castle County Airport. His family is of the 
upmost priority to

[[Page 5150]]

him and he and his wife Theresa have two children and three 
grandchildren.
  Chief Kavanagh makes daily sacrifices to serve others in our 
community and his selflessness and commitment to service will have a 
permanent place in Delaware's fire service history. The example Chief 
Kavanagh has set for firefighters throughout Delaware is one we hope 
all future firefighters will strive to emulate. His dedication to the 
protection of life is truly commendable. It is for all these reasons 
that he is being honored in the painting ``Protecting America.'' As 
Delaware's Congressman, I would like to personally thank him for a 
difficult job well done.

                          ____________________