HONORING VERDINE DAY, DETROIT'S FIRST BLACK WOMAN FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 140
(Extensions of Remarks - August 30, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING VERDINE DAY, DETROIT'S FIRST BLACK WOMAN FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR
______
HON. RASHIDA TLAIB
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Friday, August 30, 2019
Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Ms. Verdine Day
for her many years of service to the City of Detroit's Fire Department,
on the occasion of her retirement.
Ms. Day has served the Detroit Fire Department for more than thirty-
three years. She has risen through the ranks to become the department's
first Black woman Fire Engine Operator. Ms. Day possesses a strong work
ethic and has always remained generous and willing to mentor or help
out a colleague in need. Her dedication to fair and just treatment was
also instrumental in adopting a pregnancy policy for women of the
Detroit Fire Department with the assistance of the late City
Councilmember, Mary Ann Mahaffey. Ms. Day has been recognized for her
achievements by being awarded the Spirit of Detroit Award and being
named 2019 Woman of the Year by the City of Detroit, at the Annual
Women in Blue ceremony. Her heroism in the line of duty has earned her
two citations for the rescue of civilians.
During her tenure, Ms. Day has represented fire fighters on several
fronts with proven results. She served as an elected union official
with the Detroit Fire Fighters Association for fourteen years. In that
capacity she has served as 8th Battalion Director, Secretary, Vice
President, and currently holds the position of Treasurer of the
Association. During those terms she also chaired various committees to
include the Political Action Committee, the Joint Health and Safety
Committee, Public Relations, Human Relations and Grievance committees.
Beyond her service to the public, Ms. Day has been an active
community volunteer. For the last nineteen years, she has orchestrated
the ``Engine 40 Back to School Backpack project'', securing thousands
of backpacks loaded with school supplies for youth. For the last
fourteen years, she has led the ``Fill the Boot Campaign'', raising
money for children for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Ms. Day has
also coordinated with Gleaners to provide bryakfast for children in the
summer, served as a camp coach in Burn Camps and the Junior Fire Cadet
Program.
Outside of her many commitments, Ms. Day still finds time to enjoy
traveling, riding motorcycles, and playing softball. Her stellar
softball skills landed her in the Michigan United States Specialty
Sports Association Hall of Fame. Ms. Day shares her life with her
loving family, spouse Ronald Day and her four children.
Please join me in saluting Senior Fire Engine Operator Verdine Day
for her thirty-three years of bravery and service to the public as we
wish her well on her retirement.
____________________
