[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24403-24404]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE LINFIELD FIRE COMPANY ON THEIR 90TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 2003

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize members of the 
Linfield Fire Company on the 90th Anniversary of their company's 
founding.
  Following a disastrous fire, which completely destroyed the Sanitary 
Company of America's

[[Page 24404]]

foundry nearly a century ago, a group of concerned citizens met in 
Brownback Hall to discuss what the community could do to avoid similar 
disasters in times of emergency. During that meeting in October of 
1913, the plans were laid down to form the Linfield Fire Company, whose 
purpose would be to protect people and property from any future 
tragedies. A year later, the Company purchased its first piece of 
equipment for $600, a horse-drawn chemical apparatus with two sixty-
gallon tanks. This established their permanent place in the community.
  As the community has prospered over the years, so has Linfield Fire 
Company. It began with a saddler's shop for a station and a drawn wagon 
as its only apparatus. But in just four years, the Company had outgrown 
its humble home and made the necessary move into a larger building. 
Only six years later, in 1924, the Company again moved into another 
station which could house the growing amount of equipment they had and 
would continue to accumulate during the 61 years spent there. In 1985, 
Linfield Fire Company made one final move into the fire station that 
houses them today at 1077 Main Street.
  The volunteers of this fine company deserve all the support that we 
may offer. They serve selflessly and tirelessly in order to protect 
their fellow citizens and, in the times of uncertainty we face today, 
their heroics are immeasurable. They are citizens just like you and I--
teachers, students, doctors, lawyers, electricians, engineers, police 
officers. The list goes on and on--all willing to make sacrifices to 
ensure public safety. Before a member of this Company even sets foot 
into their first fire, they must undergo hours of training and, once 
completed, the education continues with advanced classes to learn 
vehicle rescue, firefighter rescue, pump operations and so on. As a 
service to the community, they put on demonstrations that educate us on 
how to stay safe in emergency situations. They are an irreplaceable and 
integral part of our community, whether it is raising money for a 
cause, adding to the joy of a local parade or hosting meetings and 
social functions. Clearly, the members of the Linfield Fire Company 
have served proudly and I rise today to recognize their service over 
the past 90 years.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the Linfield Fire 
Company on their 90th Anniversary and salute, admire and appreciate all 
the volunteers that have served this community for so many years.

                          ____________________