[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF THE BRIDGEVILLE FIRE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2009

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to pay tribute to the Bridgeville Fire Company for 100 years of 
outstanding service to the people of Delaware. The importance of 
emergency fire and medical services within our communities cannot be 
emphasized enough. I am proud to represent a state that is home to such 
selfless and dedicated firefighters, EMTs, and service volunteers as 
those of the Bridgeville Fire Company in Bridgeville, Delaware.
  The Bridgeville Fire Company was born from a tradition of strong 
community involvement, and the Company has kept that tradition alive 
through the years. The fire department was organized on December 14, 
1909 in the old Opera House. Ira Lewis, William E. Dimes, and Howard E. 
Hardesty were appointed to secure the necessary membership to 
incorporate what is known today as the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire 
Company, Inc. Over the next 12 months, plans were drawn and approved 
for the first building, at a cost of $1,100. Since then, the 
Bridgeville Fire Company has steadily grown into a pillar of strength 
within the community.
  A century later, I would like to recognize and honor all the current 
and former members of the Bridgeville Fire Department for their service 
to our community, including: President Allen Parsons; Vice President 
Steve McCarron; Secretary John Tomeski, Sr; Treasurer Pete Stephens and 
Fire Recorder Malhon Baker. Their efforts inspire others and I am 
honored to highlight the positive influence that they have had 
throughout Delaware and beyond.
  On this anniversary I would also like to once again commend the 
Bridgeville Fire Company for 100 years of exceptional service. The 
bravery and hard work of its members past and present and of its 
dedicated ladies auxiliary make Delaware a safer place to live, and I 
wish them all the best on this momentous occasion.

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