[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MYRTLE GROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
50th Anniversary of the Myrtle Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The 
Myrtle Grove Volunteer Fire Department, consisting of about two dozen 
men and women, made it first fire run on March 6, 1953.
  The station was originally a single-bay building at the corner of 
69th Avenue and Lillian Highway. The present building, at Lillian and 
72nd Avenue, was completed in 1978. The community and volunteer 
firefighters raised the money together by knocking on doors.
  Over 1,200 calls were taken last year by firefighters, both paid and 
volunteer, who work from the station to guard the Myrtle Grove area. 
This responsiveness has given the volunteer firefighters the 
credibility of professionals.
  The Myrtle Grove company is a family-oriented group. Assistant Fire 
Chief Robert Jordan is the successor and grandson of the original fire 
chief John ``Pap'' Rolfs Sr. Carl Jordan, father of Robert, served as 
Assistant Chief for thirty years. Everyone, who serves in the station, 
is known to have close relationships with one another.
  On behalf of the United States Congress and the people of Myrtle 
Grove, I would like to recognize this group of people for the standard 
of excellence and bravery that they have shown in their community. I 
offer my sincere thanks for all that they have done for Northwest 
Florida and this great Nation.

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