Former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, founder of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, will be honored at the 19th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner with the 2007 CFSI Legislator of the Year Award. The award is part of a special tribute to be conducted at this year's event in honor of Weldon's 20 years of dedicated service to the nation's fire and emergency services on Capitol Hill.

A former volunteer fire chief from Marcus Hook, Pa., Weldon formed the CFSC shortly following his election to office in 1987. It quickly became the largest caucus in Congress, a position it continues to hold with over 340 members, and has served as the blueprint for establishing other caucuses on Capitol Hill.

Throughout his congressional career, Weldon championed issues of importance to the fire and emergency services, including the creation of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program, and reallocation of broadcast spectrum for public safety use. As vice-chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Weldon worked to ensure the needs of our nation's fire and emergency services were represented within the Department of Homeland Security.

"I had the privilege of working with Curt for 12 years on fire service issues and I will be forever grateful for his unwavering support and commitment to CFSI and our mission," said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb in a press release. "We look forward to paying fitting tribute to our leader of the last 20 years at this year's dinner."

More than 2,000 state and national homeland security leaders are expected to attend the National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on March 29. For more information, visit the CFSI Web site or call 202-371-1277. Seating is still available.