[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E225-E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING THE CENTRAL FAIRFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PUBLIC SAFETY AWARD 
                                WINNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 1998

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Award Winners. 
The Public Safety Awards honor the City of Fairfax's finest Police 
Officers and Fire & Rescue personnel who have gone above and beyond the 
call of duty on a daily basis. On Thursday, February 26, 1998, the 
Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce will present the Annual Public 
Safety Awards to these brave public servants at the Fairfax City 
Holiday Inn.
  1997 Officer of the Year: Detective Albert L. Leightley, III. On 
October 10, 1997, Detective Leightley successfully apprehended two 
credit card fraud suspects. From his interview with these suspects and 
from further investigations, Detective Leightley was led to other 
accomplices. By the time Detective Leightley closed this case, he had 
eight criminal arrests and had assisted the surrounding jurisdictions 
in closing numerous criminal cases of their own. Detective Leightley is 
known for solving the ``impossible'' larceny cases, often given few 
facts, leads or physical evidence. He has an outstanding record of 
closing forty-nine percent of his cases with a sixty-four percent 
arrest rate for 1997.
  1997 Dispatcher of the Year: Betty I. Powers. On September 21, 1997, 
Dispatcher Powers was working alone in communications when two serious 
incidents occurred almost simultaneously. She remained calm under 
pressure as she dispatched police and fire department support to a 
felony traffic stop and to a hostile fight situation. This is just one 
of many examples of the professionalism and dedication to duty 
routinely displayed by Dispatcher Powers.
  1997 Firefighter/Paramedic of the Year: Fire Medic Bruce Suslowitz. 
During the seven years Fire Medic Suslowitz has been with the Fairfax 
City Fire Department, he has consistently performed outstanding service 
to those in need. He has gained the trust and faith of his patients 
with his compassionate, caring and professional manner. He has not only 
been an invaluable asset to the community but to the Fire & Rescue 
Department as well. He has participated on numerous department 
committees, created several public service programs, and has served as 
a mentor to Paramedic interns.
  1997 Lifesaving Award: Officer Eduardo J. Azcarate. In the early 
morning hours of September 21, 1997, Officer Azcarate was dispatched to 
George Mason University to provide assistance in ending a large fight. 
When he arrived on the scene, he rushed to the aid of a stabbing 
victim. While his fellow officers controlled the crowd, Officer 
Azcarate performed rescue breathing on the victim until Fire & Rescue 
units arrived. Officer Azcarate helped saved the victim's life by 
stepping into a hostile situation and without hesitation, performing 
emergency medical intervention.
  1997 Lifesaving Award: Battalion Chief Kenneth Hahn. On July 17, 
1997, Battalion Chief Hahn responded to the home of a man who was 
having chest pains, but did not want fire department aid. The man 
insisted on waiting for his friend to take him the hospital. Battalion 
Chief Hahn was concerned for the man's well-being and insisted on 
staying with the man until his friend got there. Ten minutes later, the 
man went into cardiac arrest. Battalion Chief Hahn quickly called to 
help, and initiated Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation until more fire 
department assistance arrived. Battalion Chief Han then addressed the 
concerns of the man's family and friends. Battalion Chief Hahn's 
conscientious actions were vital in saving this man's life.
  1997 Lifesaving Award: Captain John Ahrens and Fire Medic William 
Schwarz. On September 29, 1997, Medic 33 was dispatched for an 
obstetrical emergency. When Captain Ahrens and Fire Medic Schwarz 
arrived, they found a woman lying on her back with a 2 month premature 
infant on her chest.

[[Page E226]]

Captain Ahrens and Fire Medic Schwarz worked feverishly to resuscitate 
the little boy. They were continually challenged to improvise and 
reassess all treatment efforts due to the extremely small size of their 
patient. Due to their professional, capable, and highly competent 
performance under difficult circumstances, the infant was delivered to 
the emergency room with the best possible chances for survival.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to send my sincere gratitude and heartfelt 
appreciation to those distinguished public servants who are truly 
deserving of the title ``hero.'' Their professionalism and initiatives 
have earned them the well deserved Public Safety Awards from the 
Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. It is because of these outstanding 
public servants and their peers that Fairfax City continues to be one 
of the finest cities in the world.

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