[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20052]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     EL CENTRO FIRE CHIEF BENNIE BENAVIDEZ INDUCTED INTO THE NAVY 
                        FIREFIGHTER HALL OF FAME

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                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to recognize 
Bennie Benavidez, retired NAF El Centro Fire Chief, who was inducted 
into the Navy Firefighter Hall of Fame at the 2008 Navy and Marine 
Corps Fire and Emergency Services Awards Luncheon on August 14, 2008 in 
Denver, Colorado.
  Chief Benavidez is the first nominee and first inductee from the Navy 
Region Southwest into the Hall of Fame, which was created three years 
ago. He was selected by the 13 Regional Fire Chiefs as a person whose 
contributions should be recognized for posterity.
  He served his country for many years in a Navy Fire Career which 
included rapid promotions: Firefighter 1955-1956, Engineer 1956-1960, 
Captain 1960-1973, Assistant Chief 1973-1974, and Fire Chief 1974-1983. 
Upon his retirement, he was appointed as the Fire Chief of the Imperial 
County Fire Department and served for an additional 15 years, working 
to improve the training and safety of fire fighting personnel.
  Bennie Benavidez's love of the fire service was passed along to one 
of his sons, who rose to the rank of Engineer with a local fire 
department before his death in the line of duty. He keeps his son's 
memory alive through his community support and charitable contributions 
to the Burn Institute and local hospitals.
  His accomplishments fill several pages. Some examples follow. He 
received Congressional recognition for ``outstanding and invaluable 
service to the community.'' He was recognized as ``Imperial Man of the 
Year'' by the California State Assembly. He was appointed as Deputy 
State Fire Marshal for the state of California. He received a 
commendation from the State of California Governor's Office of 
Emergency Services. One of his primary contributions has been to foster 
friendship and cooperation in firefighting training between Imperial 
County and friends just across the border in Mexico.
  Some of his 20 memberships, past and present, include the Imperial 
County Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Fire 
Chiefs, California State Firefighters Association, Southern California 
Earthquake Preparedness Committee, Elks Lodge #1325, American Legion 
Post #25, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Korean War Veterans 
Association, and Member of several Imperial County Committees regarding 
the environment, hazardous materials, and community economic 
development.
  It is impossible to thank Bennie Benavidez for all his contributions, 
throughout his career and in volunteer activities within his community. 
The occasion of his induction into the Navy Firefighter Hall of Fame is 
an appropriate time to recognize him, his contributions, and the most 
prestigious honor that has been bestowed upon him.

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