E 894 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 1, 1995

children are handling their stay well but

that many suffer from adjustment disorders

like depression.

When the 13-year-old barefoot boy heard

that children in the neighboring camps for

Cubans were being flown to the United

States, he told his keepers that his mother

was Cuban. Switching from Haitian Creole to

fluent Spanish, he said his father, a Haitian,

had not liked Cuba and so had taken him to

Haiti when he was 8, leaving his mother behind.

He said he did not want to go to Cuba, because Cuban refugees had already warned

him that things were bad there. And he said

he did not want to go back to Haiti, where,

he said, he saw his father shot to death by

‘‘guards’’ in 1994 ‘‘because they thought he

worked with Aristide.’’ His hope, he said, is

an uncle in Florida whom he has tried to call

but whose telephone has been disconnected.

Sitting on a cot in his neat corner in the

tent, bent over with elbows on his thighs, he

spoke in an irritated tone. He said he passed

the time sleeping, attending school and

thinking about ‘‘my father, who died.’’ If he

makes it to the United States, he said, he

wants to learn English and study to be a doctor and a journalist.

He said he was still waiting for a response

to his contention that he is half Cuban.

‘‘We want to leave, too,’’ he said.

MEDWAY-GRAPEVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF FIGHTING

GREENE COUNTY FIRES

HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, May 1, 1995

Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, those who

have visited my office have probably noticed

the display of fire helmets which dominates

the reception area. The hats hang in that

prominent position for two reasons.

First, I had the privilege of serving as a volunteer firefighter in my hometown of

Queensbury for over 20 years. During that

time, I gained a great amount of respect and

appreciation for the selfless volunteers who

devote their time and energy to protecting our

rural areas from the devastation of fire. This

immense admiration is the second reason for

the location of my hat collection.

In rural areas such as the many small towns

in the 22d district of New York, fire protection

is more often than not solely the responsibility

of volunteer firemen such as those of the

Medway-Grapeville Volunteer Fire Company.

These dedicated individuals have saved

countless lives and billions of dollars worth of

property in New York State alone. And the

Medway-Grapeville Volunteer Fire Company

exemplifies the kind of heroism which makes

volunteer firefighters such an important part of

our local communities.

During my years as a volunteer fireman, I

noticed some extraordinary things about my

company. Its members were among the most

varied groups of people I have encountered

before or since. There were teachers, doctors,

and farmers, just to name a few of the many

walks of life represented. Despite their many

differences, however, these volunteers had

two very important things in common—a

strong desire to help their fellow neighbors in

times of trouble, and an unwavering commitment to perform their duties at any time, day

or night, whenever they were needed. I know

that my experience was not a unique one, and

that the volunteers of the Medway-Grapeville

Company are equally dedicated to and superbly skilled in their most crucial roles as

community protectors.

Mr. Speaker, on May 6, the MedwayGrapeville will celebrate its 50th year of service to Greene County. I would now ask that all

Members join me in paying tribute to the

Medway-Grapeville Volunteer Fire Company,

as it celebrates a half-century of firefighting

excellence.