[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11178]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO TENNESSEE'S 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT FIREFIGHTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, over 250 years ago, 
Benjamin Franklin created the Union Fire Company, the first volunteer 
fire fighting company in America. Today, volunteers make up over 70% of 
United States firefighters, with 820,000 Americans dedicating their 
free time to protecting their neighbors, homes and communities from 
fire and other calamities.
  More than 21,000 of the roughly 30,000 fire departments in the 
country are entirely comprised of volunteer service members ready and 
willing to respond to over a million fires every year. Our volunteer 
fire fighters spend their time and resources to train, prepare and 
equip themselves so they are ready to face whatever challenge might 
threaten our homes or safety. Moreover, firefighters are summoned to 
address a wide variety of emergencies in our country every year, from 
emergency medical care to natural disasters, water rescue to threats 
from hazardous materials and more.
  The volunteer firefighters of today are working hard to carry on a 
tradition of commitment to each other that outlasts America itself. As 
long as fires threaten the well-being of our neighbors and loved ones, 
the volunteer firefighters of America will continue to answer the call 
in our defense. For all they do, they deserve our thanks and respect. I 
rise with my colleagues today to applaud their service and that of paid 
full-time and part-time firefighters to our country and their noble 
regard for the protection of us all.

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