[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16951]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GEORGETOWN FIRE COMPANY

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
anniversary of the Georgetown Fire Company. Founded in 1903, the 
Georgetown Fire Company is only one of fifteen Delaware fire companies 
to achieve a century or more of service a testament of the hard work 
and dedication of those who have been part of this venerable 
organization.
  Several fire companies in Delaware, particularly around rural 
communities, were formed in the wake of disasters. That was the case 
for nearby Milton, which founded its fire company in 1901. But 
residents and town leaders in Georgetown formed their own fire company 
before a major fire broke out.
  On April 11, 1903, the commissioners of the Town of Georgetown 
advised the town's people by posting in the local newspaper, The Sussex 
Journal, that there would be a meeting that evening for the purpose of 
creating a fire company. In this posting, they stated that the 
formation of a fire company would decrease the cost of fire insurance 
within the town. There were fourteen charter members of the Georgetown 
Fire Company. Until that day, the community had relied solely on so-
called bucket brigades and a hand-drawn ladder wagon.
  Today, the fire company owns the most modern of technology and 
firefighting equipment, and what started off as a small squad of locals 
with minimal training has evolved into a company that today has almost 
100 members, 50 of whom are active. The remaining members are life 
members, limited service members or honorary members, all of whom 
continue to help protect Georgetown. Originally located in the old fire 
hall building on The Circle in 1930, they moved to their new building 
on South Bedford Street in 1966. There, the doors are opened one 
evening each February for an annual fundraiser for the fire company, 
the legendary ``Oyster Eat,'' which attracts people from throughout the 
Delmarva peninsula and beyond.
  I rise today to recognize all the members of the Georgetown Fire 
Company, past and present, and their contributions to their beloved 
community. This is a historic event, especially for a non-profit 
organization based solely on volunteerism. I congratulate you all and 
thank you for your service to the people of Georgetown and to all of 
Southern Delaware.

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