[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE SOUTH CARTHAGE 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 South Carthage Volunteer Fire Department for their 
selfless dedication and bravery in protecting our families, day and 
night.
  The South Carthage Fire Department has operated from the same fire 
station, located on Main St., next to City Hall, since it was founded 
in 1963. The department has serviced the community for 44 years.
  Without volunteer fire halls, like South Carthage, 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 South 
Carthage Volunteer Fire Department deserve recognition: Chief Ed 
Lankford, Asst. Chief Tony Hembree, Captain A Team Blythe Myers, Bobby 
Hewitt, Richard Ellenburg, Scottie Grisham, David McCall, Captain B 
Team Grover Ellenburg Jr., John Antle, Todd Currie, Tracy Fields, Chris 
Dennis, Alicia Fields, Derrick Brooks, David Brown, Brian Owensby, 
Aaron Sterling, Ricky Slack, Safety and Training Officer Terry Wood, 
Kennie Bryant, and James Way. Reserve Fire Department Members: Steven 
Myers, Chris Fields, Jonas Bullington, and Johnny Richardson.

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