[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             FIVE ALARMS FOR FIRE MARSHALL GARY T. CONNELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 23, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, whether it is putting out a multiple alarm 
fire in a major life-threatening situation, providing emergency first 
aid in the event of an accident, or the more image-laden activities of 
rescuing the family cat from a tree or taking the shiny engine to an 
elementary school for fire safety day, each and every one of us has had 
a very positive encounter with our local fire departments. The people 
of my home town of Bay City have been the fortunate benefactors of the 
30-year career of our recently retired fire marshal, Gary T. Connelly.
  From June 1, 1967, when he started at the Central Fire Station and 
worked for several years with the first emergency rescue squad within 
the Bay City Fire Department, to his last 5 years as fire marshal, Gary 
Connelly has let it be known that he cares about the people he serves, 
the citizens of Bay City, and the many outstanding men and women of the 
department who report to him.
  His outstanding career as a firefighter, a State-certified emergency 
medical technician, relief driver, and fire awareness officer, is the 
result of his ongoing professional training throughout his years. With 
training at Delta College for programs offered with the accreditation 
of the National Fire Academy, and other programs offered by the 
Michigan State Police, Macomb College, Eastern Michigan University, 
Central Michigan University, and the National Fire Academy itself, Fire 
Marshal Connelly is living testimony to the fact that one never stops 
learning, and that there are always opportunities to make even 
outstanding service even better.
  The key element to his successful career, however, is the outstanding 
support that Gary has received from his family. His brother Kenneth 
also served as a member of the Bay City Fire Department for 32 years. 
Until his retirement as assistant chief in 1987. And without doubt, 
Gary's wife, Rosalyn, and his children Gary Jr. and Sherry, have been 
most supportive of his career. The dangers of being a fire-fighter are 
known to many of us, but are a very real daily fear for the families of 
these brave men and women. The people of Bay City probably own as much 
of a debt to Fire Marshal Connelly's family as they do to him.
  Mr. Speaker, I know how important leadership is within a demanding 
organization like a fire department. Gary Connelly has provided service 
beyond what right any of us may have had to expect. I urge you and all 
of our colleagues to join me in wishing him a most pleasant and well-
earned retirement, and the best for all that his future holds for him.

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