[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25956-25957]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO FIRE CHIEF MICHAEL VARNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2007

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
contribution of Fire Chief Michael Varney to the citizens of Ellington, 
Connecticut and the strength of our volunteer corps of first 
responders. Michael was recently selected by Fire Chief Magazine as the 
2007 Volunteer Chief of the Year, a great honor in the field and a 
testament to the commitment and selfless public service of this citizen 
hero. The award is made all the more special given that the nomination 
and selection comes from his peers from across the nation amongst an 
enviable group of worthy candidates. Our nation owes a great debt to 
these first responders who voluntarily put their life on the line to 
ensure the safety of their community and Connecticut is very fortunate 
to have Chief Varney as a member of its fire service.
  After graduating from high school, Michael followed in his father's 
footsteps and began his career at the Ellington Volunteer Fire 
Department where he has now served for 23

[[Page 25957]]

years. He quickly moved up the ranks and became chief seven years ago. 
During that time, Michael has superbly led the 50-person department and 
has been instrumental in securing almost $500,000 in federal grants to 
provide the critical life-saving equipment necessary to protect his 
community. He has led with dedication and poise under extreme 
circumstances and developed the respect of the region's premier 
firefighting personnel.
  Michael has also contributed to the state and regional preparedness 
through his involvement with the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association 
and the state's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinating 
Council. He is also a member of the International Association of Fire 
Chiefs committee that has put together a national emergency response 
network of firefighters, hospital staff, and other emergency personnel. 
His full-time position with the Department of Information Technology 
has provided invaluable communication systems expertise not only to his 
department but also to regional and national organizations.
  Chief Varney represents the changing role of our nation's first 
responders and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his life of 
service and dedication to the protection of our communities.

                          ____________________