[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13342]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIREMAN'S FUND

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                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2013

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the anniversary of a California company that has dedicated itself to 
serving the residents of our state for 150 years. Founded in San 
Francisco, the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company has been protecting the 
future for individuals, families and businesses since 1863. The 
Fireman's Fund name, which is well-known across California, emanates 
from the founder's arrangement to pay 10 percent of the company's 
profits to support the widows and orphans of firefighters who died in 
the line of duty. That tradition continues today through the company's 
Heritage Program, providing fire departments throughout the nation with 
life-saving equipment and training. Working in combination with its 
employees, agents and brokers, the company has distributed more than 
$30 million to support firefighters for safer communities since 2004, 
with over $8 million contributed in California. The company has also 
been a benefactor for numerous charities in the San Francisco Bay Area 
and its generosity has added tremendously to the vitality of our 
communities.
   Over the past 150 years, Fireman's Fund's contribution to our 
nation's history extends far beyond California. The Fireman's Fund has 
insured the construction of some of our nation's most treasured 
landmarks, including the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge and even 
Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. During our nation's most 
trying times of crisis, the company delivered on its promises. 
Following the Chicago Fire of 1871 and the San Francisco Earthquake of 
1906, the Fireman's Fund played a critical role in rebuilding after the 
devastation. The company was also present when needed most for many 
displaced people after the Northridge earthquake of 1994, which 
devastated much of Southern California.
   Throughout its history, the Fireman's Fund has prided itself on also 
being innovative; it prides itself on being the first insurance 
provider to write a standing grain policy in the U.S., the first 
carrier to offer nationwide automobile insurance and standardized 
homeowners insurance, and the first company to add ``green rebuild'' 
insurance to their offerings for homes and businesses. Back in my 
hometown of Bakersfield, California, Fireman's Fund remains one of our 
region's largest agricultural insurers, providing essential risk 
control services to hundreds of farm producers in my Congressional 
District. Its 150 years of service has established a name and 
reputation which resonates well with insurance agents and brokers who 
distribute their product in our local communities.
   Today there are more than 1,200 Californians working for Fireman's 
Fund. Together they make up a great company that remains one of 
California's most enduring financial institutions. Given the time of 
rapid change in which we live, it is comforting to know that companies 
like Fireman's Fund still endure, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
wishing them well with the hope that they will still be protecting the 
future for individuals, families and businesses for another 150 years.

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