[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1154-E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ASTORIA HARDWARE FIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2001

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory and recognition of 
John Downing, Harry Ford and Brian Fahey--three of New York's Bravest, 
members of the New York City Fire Department, who were killed in the 
line of duty on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17.
  Every day, firefighters take risks by putting there own lives on the 
line in an attempt to save innocent people who may be trapped in a 
burning building or are otherwise endangered by a spreading fire. 
Heroic action taken by the men and women of the New York Fire 
Department is not an occasional event, but something that occurs daily. 
The routine risks they take are not recognized enough by the people who 
they protect. Unfortunately, it always seems to take a tragedy, like 
the one which occurred last weekend to fully recognize the heroism 
around us every day. I am heartened to see the outpouring of sympathy 
that has been expressed in New York and across the country for these 
brave men who fell in the line of duty.
  Working on Father's Day was just part of the job for these three 
heroes, who were entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the

[[Page E1155]]

lives of the people of New York City. When tragedy struck, Rescue 
Company 4, which included Mr. Ford, and Mr. Fahey and Ladder Company 
163 where Mr. Downing was assigned, were sent to fight a fire at a 
hardware store in Astoria, Queens. All three men, like their entire 
companies, were doing exactly what they were trained to do, the same 
thing they had done hundreds of times before. Unfortunately, this fire 
would lead to their deaths and the injury of 50 others.
  Although we think of them today as heroes because of their valor in 
the face of death, all three men were heroes long before this fatal 
Fathers Day. Harry Ford was a 27-year veteran of the New York City Fire 
Department. Along with his wife Denise, he was the father of three 
children, Janna, Harry and Gerard. During his distinguished career, he 
earned ten bravery citations, including one for rescuing a baby from a 
burning building. As the senior member of his Company, he was held in a 
certain reverence by every member of Rescue Company Four.
  Brian Fahey was a veteran firefighter of 14 years. He was also a 
member of the elite rescue team, whose most important job is to rescue 
their fellow firefighters imperiled in the process of saving the lives 
of civilians. He leaves behind three sons, Brendan, Patrick and James 
and is the husband of Mary.
  In 1992, 11-year veteran John Downing had a brush with fame. A plane 
trying to take off from LaGuardia Airport slid into Flushing Bay, 
killing 19 people. Firefighter Downing was captured on the front page 
of the Daily News the next day, heroically carrying victims away from 
danger. He is survived by his wife Anne, and their two children, Joanne 
and Michael.
  Words alone cannot express the sadness we all feel in the death of 
these men. I can only begin to express the sympathy I feel for their 
families and their friends, especially those who worked alongside them 
in their gallant profession. These men will continue to go on fighting 
fires, with this painful reminder of the great risk of their calling. 
To these men and women, I want to take the opportunity to say ``thank 
you'' for the job that you do, often without praise or acknowledgement. 
Keep up the good work. I hope we all can let the example of these three 
heroes, John Downing, Harry Ford and Brian Fahey serve as an example 
for all of us.
  I would also like to pay tribute to the 50 other people who were 
injured while fighting this deadly fire, including firefighters, EMS 
workers, police officers and civilians. My sincerest thanks and prayers 
go out to all of you, especially Firefighter Joseph Vosilla, an 11-year 
veteran of Ladder Company 116, who is still in critical condition at 
Elmhurst hospital, and Lieutenant Brendan Manning, a 19-year veteran of 
Battalion 49 who is in stable condition at New York Weill Cornell 
Center.
  Mr. Speaker, these heroes made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of 
duty. I know the entire House joins me in paying tribute to their 
incredible bravery. May God bless them and their families.