[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1042]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE PEOTONE FIREMEN FOR 125 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 7, 2006

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Peotone Firemen 
who are celebrating 125 years of service to the Village of Peotone and 
the surrounding area. The Peotone Fire Protection District lies wholly 
within the 11th Congressional District in Illinois.
  In 1881, the Village of Peotone purchased its first fire truck and 
the first drill for the volunteer firemen was held on April 15, 1881 
under the command of Captain John Fedde. In 1924 a Model T Fire Truck 
was purchased. The Rural Fire District was formed in 1940 and a tanker 
was purchased in 1953 that could carry 1,000 gallons of water. In 1975, 
the Fire District purchased an ambulance and had the first operational 
paramedics in will County.
  1978 was a banner year for the Fire District. The voters passed a 
resolution to support an ambulance service, the Peotone Fire Protection 
District was established and the Peotone Fire Protection District 
accepted the Peotone Fire Department as the organization to protect the 
residents of the district from fire; promote fire protection and 
prevention; and to provide emergency medical services to district 
residents. A new fire station broke ground in March 1992 and was 
dedicated to the memory of Trustee Gerald Borchardt in 1993.
  Today, the Peotone Fire Protection District has approximately 50-
volunteer and part-time dedicated personnel under the direction of Fire 
Chief John Young. The district maintains a modern and well-equipped 
station at 7550 West Joliet Road in Peotone and also operates two 
Advanced Life Support ambulances. Residents in the entire Peotone area 
can rest assured they are well protected by firemen from the Peotone 
Fire Protection District.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to identify and recognize other 
individuals in their own districts whose actions have so greatly 
benefitted and strengthened America's families and communities.

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