[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18381]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    AETNA HOSE HOOK & LADDER COMPANY

 Mr. COONS. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Tom Carper, 
Congressman John Carney and myself, I rise today to recognize the Aetna 
Hose Hook & Ladder Company and its many volunteers and leadership who, 
on December 17, 2013, will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the 
company's founding in 1888.
  For more than a century, Aetna has provided exemplary firefighting 
and lifesaving services for residents of Newark, DE. From its humble 
beginnings at the turn of the century, when the company consisted of a 
simple, hand-drawn hose cart, the Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder Company has 
grown to incorporate 5 stations, 17 trucks, and hundreds of members 
dedicated to ``service for others.''
  Prior to 1888, residents were forced to combat fires on their own, 
until a fire in a woolen mill resulted in the loss of 800 jobs. The 
disaster prompted the town council to call for the creation of a town 
fire company. Founded on December 17, 1888 at a meeting of 30 town 
citizens, Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder Company's first leadership group 
included John A. Mullin as chairman, Isaac J. Moore as secretary, 
William H. Simpers as president, and Joseph T. Willis as foreman--the 
19th century term for fire chief. Dues for active members began at $1, 
while contributing members paid $2 per year. The company was 
incorporated on December 13, 1889, with 57 charter members.
  During its humble first years, Aetna's fire alarm system consisted of 
ringing Catholic Church, academy and college bells. In 1893, the 
company purchased its first hose carriage and in 1901, it received its 
first $250 appropriation from the town of Newark, prompting a 
celebratory parade.
  The fire company soon became an integral part of the Newark 
community, hosting banquets, carnivals, and bingo nights to raise money 
for equipment and firefighting gear. Formed in 1949, the Aetna Ladies 
Auxiliary has provided unwavering support for the company's members, 
from fundraising to providing hot meals for firefighters and their 
guests.
  Today, Aetna is proud to be home to more than 20 highly decorated 
firefighters, EMS, and EMT members. Recent citations include Heroic EMT 
of the Year to Jeff Evans, Eric Barsky, Paul Testa, Steve Walls, and 
Garland Church, and Lt. John P. Murphy; EMT of the Year to Rob 
``Dusty'' Sweetman, Joshua Rainey, Michael Shao, Kevin Eichinger, 
Theodorica Cenizal, Ann Gillespie, Arman Fardanesh, Laurel Petchel, and 
Melanie Patnaude; and Lifetime Achievement in EMS Awards to Diane 
Silverman, E. David Bailey, and Gene Niland. Aetna is also the home to 
12 EMS Top Responders, including 4-time winner Eric B. Barsky.
  The Delaware congressional delegation is proud to recognize the Aetna 
Hose Hook & Ladder Company and its team of first responders for 125 
years of honorable service to the community of Newark, DE.

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