[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 44 (Thursday, March 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E494-E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       IN RECOGNITION OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANNUAL HONOREES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2001

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Police Officer 
Edward Ryan, Firefighter Brian O'Sullivan, and EMT Lt. Raymond 
Branagan, all of whom will be honored by the Knights of Columbus on 
March 31, 2001.
  For the past eight years, The Fourth Degree Assembly 675 Knights of 
Columbus of Bayonne, New Jersey has honored officers from the city's 
three branches of service. The award honors both individuals who go 
above and beyond the call of duty and the departments that employ these 
brave men and women.
  Police Officer Edward Ryan is being honored for evacuating the 
occupants of two burning buildings. On January 22, 2000, Officer Ryan 
was dispatched to a call regarding a fire at 86 W. 16th Street. Upon 
arrival, Officer Ryan found the building engulfed in flames with the 
fire spreading to the adjoining residence. Despite a rapidly spreading 
fire and severe smoke conditions, Officer Ryan heroically evacuated all 
residents from both buildings, allowing the fire department to 
immediately concentrate on fighting the fire, rather than on performing 
a search for trapped residents.
  Firefighter Brian O'Sullivan is being honored for recently saving a 
life. He is a member of

[[Page E495]]

Bayonne's Engine Company 6. In December 2000, Engine Company 6 was 
dispatched to Marist High School in response to a call about an 
unconscious female. Upon arrival, Firefighter O'Sullivan recognized 
that she was not breathing, so he used an automatic external 
defibrillator and a bag valve mask to save her life. Brian O'Sullivan 
became a firefighter in 1999, and was a member of the first class 
trained as both a firefighter and an EMT.
  Lieutenant Raymond Branagan is an EMT, and is being honored for his 
administrative and instructional work with McCabe Ambulance. He is 
currently the lead instructor and administrative assistant to the 
Director of the McCabe Institute of Emergency Preparedness. Lt. 
Branagan is in charge of arranging courses on CPR for the American 
Heart Association, on First Aid for the National Safety Council, and on 
OSHA/PEOSHA blood and airborne pathogens for the Bayonne Police and 
Fire Departments, the Bayonne Board of Education, and Bayonne Head 
Start.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Officer Ryan, 
Firefighter O'Sullivan, and Lt. Branagan for their courageous 
contributions to their community.

                          ____________________