[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E110-E111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2000

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and 
women of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department who have gone 
above and beyond the call of duty to serve our community. The Fairfax 
Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 22nd Annual Valor Awards today, 
Friday, February 11, 2000. The Chamber will recognize law enforcement 
and emergency response personnel for their acts of bravery. A Valor 
Award is the highest honor Fairfax County bestows upon its public 
safety employees.
  The Valor Award recipients are selected by a committee that 
designates honorees for a Lifesaving Award, a Certificate of Valor, or 
a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. This year, it is expected 
that 37 agency personnel will be honored for acts of bravery that 
demonstrated extraordinary ingenuity, judgment, or zeal.
  Mr. Speaker, I would be honored today to read the names of the 17 men 
and women of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department who will 
receive the 1999 Valor Awards. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: 
Firefighter Barry J. Rathbone and Lieutenant Paul A. Masiello; 
Certificate of Valor: Lieutenant Robert E. Wheeler and Firefighter 
Joseph M. Laun. Bronze Medal of Valor; Technician William M. Best, 
Captain I Vincent R. McGregor, and Technician Kurt A. Hoffman; Silver 
Medal of Valor; Dr. Joseph Barbera, Captain Robert C. Dube, Master 
Technician Michael A. Istvan, Lieutenant Joseph E. Knerr, Technician 
Evan J. Lewis, Dr. Anthony Macintyre, Technician Glenn A. Mason, 
Technician Michael J. Stone, Technician Rex E. Strickland, and Master 
Technician Jack L. Walmer.
  In 1989, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce established a special 
fund to award scholarships to the children of Valor Award medal winners 
who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Support of the Scholarship 
Fund demonstrates the sincere appreciation of our County's public 
safety officers. Over the past ten years, more than one hundred 
generous businesses and individuals have contributed to this worthy 
fund, and numerous scholarships have been awarded.

[[Page E111]]

  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish to thank all those who serve the 
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Since 1979, more than 250 
members of the Fairfax County Police Department, Fire and Rescue 
Department and the Office of the Sheriff have received Gold, Silver or 
Bronze Medals of Valor. I recognize the professionalism of the men and 
women who are honored here today. I applaud the heroic efforts the 
members of the Fairfax Fire and Rescue make on our behalf as we extend 
our appreciation to these exceptional individuals today. I commend 
these individuals and their colleagues for their undaunted commitment 
to the citizenry.

                          ____________________