[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       RECOGNITION OF FAIRFAX COUNTY URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 1999

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Davis of Virginia, and I are 
honored to extend our deepest admiration and sincere thanks to the 92 
members of the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team in their 
courageous response mission to help the people in Touliu, Taiwan, 
following the massive earthquake there on September 20.
  Fairfax County is one of the few localities in our country which has 
trained and authorized a search and rescue team that can be deployed at 
a moment's notice to deal with crisis situations anywhere in the world. 
Less than an hour after the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance 
activated the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Urban Search 
and Rescue Team to assist in the international effort, the team was 
mobilized and ready for deployment; ready to leave their families, 
friends and loved ones. We understand that this was the team's ninth 
mission--nine times they have left their families and homes to answer 
the ``International 911'' call.
  What's most remarkable is that the firefighters on this team 
volunteered to be part of this specially trained unit, which is on the 
front lines, working round the clock, going into perilous situations--
whether natural disasters or terrorist-inspired--driven by self-
sacrifice to help save lives. Each member of this team has shown 
extraordinary heroism.
  We are very proud of each and every member of the Fairfax County 
Urban Search and Rescue Team. They truly are heroes and deserve to be 
recognized.
  The U.S. Congress and all of America salute the following members of 
the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team:
  Chris Bastin, James Bernanzani, William Bertone, Greg Bunch, David 
Conrad, Sean Evans, Thomas Feehan, Tom Griffin, Mark Guditus, Andrew 
Hubert, Matt Nacy, Clyde Pittard, Mark Plunkett, Scott Smith, Rex 
Strickland, Jim Walsh, Kent Watts, Robert Zoldos, Daniel Bickham, 
Edward Brinkley, Clyde Buchanan, John Chabal, James Chinn, Kevin 
Dabney, Kurt Hoffman, Joseph Kaleda, Joseph Knerr, Randall Leatherman, 
Evan Lewis, Craig Luecke, Glenn Mason, Joe Meritt, Gary Morin, Gery 
Morrison, Dewey Perks, Michael Regan, Michael Tamillow, David Taylor, 
James Tolson, Jack Walmer, Jerome Williams, Barry Anderson, Donald 
Booth, Gary Bunch, Carlton Burkhammer, Brian Cloyd, Michael Davis, 
Jeffrey Donaldson, Michael Istvan, Mark Lucas, John Mayers, Rich 
McKinney, Wayne Reedy, Bill Reedy, Michael Reilly, Charles Ruble, Mike 
Stone, Ruben Almaguer, Marilyn Arwe, Joe Barbera, William Barker, Tony 
Beale, Bill Berger, Jack Brown, Jennifer Brown, Mike Canfield, Paul 
Carlin, Steve Catlin, Carol Chan, Tom Cole, Robert Dube, Garrett Dyer, 
Dr. French, Sonja Heritage, Brooke Holt, Gerald Jaskulski, Mike Keeler, 
Anthony MacIntyre, Paul Majarowitz, Chuck Mills, Susan Mingle, Richard 
Owens, Dean Sherick, Earl Shuggart, Dallas Slemp, Jim Strickland, Nate 
Smith, Lorenzo Thrower, Dean Tills, Steve Weissman, Steve Willey, John 
Tung.

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