The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF CHIEF ROBERT TARDIF
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HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Friday, June 11, 2021
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of a distinguished public servant in my district, Chief Robert Tardif. On June 12, 2021, Chief Tardif celebrates an incredible milestone of 50 years in service to the Baltic Fire Engine Company, No. 1. While it is an honor to reflect upon and commemorate graceful and dedicated tenure of Chief Tardif, it should be emphasized that his service as an essential community leader will only continue from here.
Born in the Taftville section of Norwich in 1956, Robert was inspired at an early age to public safety from his Father who also served as a firefighter--in both Norwich and Sprague, Connecticut--for an entire 66 years. An instrumental figure in his life, Robert's father served until his passing. Five years after his family moved to Sprague, Robert began his career of public service at the age of 15 as a Firefighter Cadet for the Baltic Fire Engine Company No. 1. After three years as a cadet, he was accepted by a unanimous vote to become a full-time firefighter. The rest is history. Robert climbed the ranks of the department as he braved years of danger on the front lines fighting fires and assisting in an array of other public safety missions including the 1994 ice flood, which resulted in significant damage to the downtown area of Sprague. Chief Tardif was crucial in the ensuing rescue missions in that disaster and helped get rescue boats to residents in danger of drowning from the incredible floods.
As a firefighter, it has always been ingrained in Chief Tardif to put others before himself. As a member of the local and essential workforce community, however, there was no one in better standing to become Chief of the fire department than him when he took the reins in 1999. Chief Tardif has not only fought for his department against fire and calamity but has worked to ensure that his team and department are best equipped to serve the public to the best of their ability. I know this to be true as he has personally worked with my office on numerous occasions to attain FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants to ensure his units are equipped and prepared for safety with the most up-to-date protective and emergency gear.
When not serving Sprague, Robert serves the common good through his work as a union carpenter with United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 1302. Through his work as a union carpenter, Robert has worked at Electric Boat, a submarine manufacturer and economic powerhouse in our region, for more than 46 years, serving in numerous leadership roles for his union including President and Vice-President. Robert currently leads Local 1302 under the position of Business Agent/Chief Steward--a position he has held since 2003. To this day, Chief Tardif works to ensure that carpenters at Electric Boat are well equipped and versed in the most modern safety procedures and go home just as they came in. He has made a significant difference during his time at Electric Boat, working hand in hand with the company to prioritize safety on the job site.
We are truly fortunate to have a leader in public safety in our midst who serves the public good in so many different forms. Chief Tardif is not only my colleague in public service but a friend, and one who has even come to my own personal aid when I was left with a flat tire on the road one hot summer day with no wrench. He never hesitates to help those in need.
Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to ask the chamber to join me in celebrating Chief Tardif's 50 years of service to the town of Sprague. Chief Tardif's inspirational and as piling career are perfectly encompassed in his own mantra on why he chose a life of public service which is that, ``My Father had done it forever--and he inspired me to work to make a difference--no matter big or small--as long as it was helping someone.'' To that end, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in congratulating Chief Tardif for his 50 years of service with the fire department and Electric boat and wishing him thanks for the many more milestones to come in a truly decorated career. I wish him and his son Robert Tardif II continued success and happiness.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 102
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