[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6592]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMITHTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT

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                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to rise in 
honor of a proud and long-serving institution of my district--on the 
occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Smithtown Fire Department.
  I am privileged to represent the Town of Smithtown, along the western 
part of New York's first congressional district. Since 1908, this 
historic town was home to a small but very effective fire department, 
``The Smithtown Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company''. Toward the end of 
its first year in service, it acquired two fire trucks, a chemical 
engine, and a hook and ladder truck. This began a century of protecting 
the people of Smithtown during which their outstanding service record 
has been defined time and again by bravery and efficiency.
  From those humble beginnings grew a proud volunteer fire department 
that has expanded to its current 168 committed members. The single old 
firehouse on Bellemeade Avenue has expanded to a much larger main fire 
station headquarters on Elm Avenue and two satellite stations located 
on Plymouth Boulevard and Plaisted Avenue that respond to emergencies 
and keep the township safe.
  During the fire department's century of service, Long Island's 
booming population has intensified the demands on the Smithtown Fire 
Department members. Still, they remain an all-volunteer and highly 
skilled force which frequently proves itself capable of heroism and 
selfless dedication to our community.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me once again in 
thanking those firefighters who continue to protect our families and 
communities and to extend our deepest gratitude to volunteers, like 
those intrepid men and women of the Smithtown Fire Department, on its 
100th anniversary.

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