[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 132 (Monday, September 23, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1669-E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN TRIBUTE TO THE BRAVE HEROES WHO GAVE SO MUCH OF THEMSELVES IN THE 
                         MICHAEL FAUCI TRAGEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 23, 1996

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of 
Michael Braccio Fauci, who was lost and perished while skiing in the 
Italian Alps in February of this year. I would also like to honor all 
of the dedicated volunteers, friends, and family who were so 
instrumental in the search efforts for this young man.
  Eighteen-year-old Michael Fauci disappeared on February 19, 1996, 
while on a skiing trip to Cortina, Italy, a birthday gift from his 
family. Through the combined efforts of hundreds of Italian rescue 
workers, U.S. consulate personnel, NATO helicopters, and volunteers 
over a period of 3\1/2\ months, an immense search effort was initiated 
to find Michael and lasted for nearly 3\1/2\ months.
  Both the Italian authorities and the United States consulate in Milan 
did everything in their power to find Michael. The rescue party 
searched endlessly day and night, stopping only to rest when absolutely 
necessary. Never have I seen such an outpouring of concern from so many 
parties. My office received numerous letters and phone calls from 
constituents eager to help in any way they could, many of whom offered 
to accompany Carmine and Margaret Fauci in their efforts to find their 
son.
  On May 26, Michael's body was found hidden in a makeshift shelter in 
the woods. Tragically it was Michael's parents, and their search party, 
who found him in the shelter not 4,000 feet north of the ski resort 
Cortina D'Ampezzo.
  On September 25, 1996, there will be an award and choral concert in 
remembrance of Michael. Program participants include Mr. Gianpiero 
Bosetti, the head coordinator of the search operation, and 
representatives from national, State, and local government and 
community agencies. Once again, friends and family from Italy and the 
United States will join together as the Fauci family thanks all those 
who were so instrumental in the search for their son.
  In his memory, the Michael Braccio Fauci Foundation for the 
Advancement of Search and Rescue Technology was formed to advance and 
improve the technology used to locate and rescue missing persons lost 
in the outdoors or trapped by the forces of nature. A type of tracking 
device worn on Michael's clothes would have guided the search party to 
him within hours and saved his life. Through this foundation, the Fauci 
family hopes to raise funds to develop a high-technology model, so that 
in the future it could be available to all people who appreciate and 
spend time in the great outdoors. It would also reduce the number of 
people lost to snowstorms each year.

[[Page E1670]]

  I am deeply saddened that we had to lose such a shining star in our 
community. But with the establishment of the Michael Braccio Fauci 
Foundation, we can only hope to help prevent this tragedy from 
happening again. By working together, Michael's death will not have 
been in vain. Michael was a wonderful, talented, and spirited young 
man. He will be sorely missed, and someone we won't soon forget.

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