[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28768]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE MT. VERNON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
members of the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department for their selfless 
dedication and bravery in protecting our families, day and night.
  In 2005, Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department responded to 14 wild 
land, brush and grass fires. They ran 24 vehicle accidents and E.M.S. 
calls, eight residence fires, and 23 others for a total of 69 
responses.
  Without volunteer fire halls, like Mt. Vernon, many places in the 
Sixth District would lack effective fire protection. In the state of 
Tennessee, over 70 percent of fire service is provided by volunteers. 
Among these volunteers, almost 75 percent work other daily jobs.
  Ensuring our families' safety is not without risk. Sadly, an average 
of 2 firefighters die each year in Tennessee in the line of duty. In 
2005, the Tennessee Fire Services and Code Academy dedicated a memorial 
on their main campus in Bell Buckle to honor those Tennessee 
firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
  For their willingness to serve, the following members of the Mt. 
Vernon Volunteer Fire Department deserve recognition: Chief Ray D. 
Hicks, Faye Hicks, David Dyer, Cheryl Dyer, Coel Bean, Rickey Bean, 
Randy Bean, Mary Bean, Harold Hatcher, Eddy Hatcher, Jason Rhoton, 
Shawn Hatcher, Shannon Hatcher, Johnny Young, Denise Rhoton, Crystal 
Key, Robert Cox, Adam Bryant, and Craig Copess.

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