[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 120 (Friday, September 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE 
                             TO OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest thanks 
and appreciation to all of the firefighters and law enforcement 
officials who have volunteered their expertise in the wake of the 
tragic events of the past several days. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 
will live in the hearts and minds of Americans for generations to come. 
To challenge democracy is to challenge the very core of all that we 
cherish. Communities across our nation have come together, united by a 
single truth: the spirit of America, though tested, can never be 
broken.
  The men and women who serve as firefighters and law enforcement 
officials face risks that few of us can truly comprehend. Each day, 
they must be ready to perform under intense pressure--literally in life 
or death situations as we have all witnessed in recent days. Their 
commitment and dedication cannot be questioned.
  Perhaps this is best illustrated in the faces of the many 
firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel, who have 
volunteered their time and efforts throughout the past several days. I 
speak not only of those directly involved with the rescue efforts in 
Lower Manhattan, but to the many departments nationwide who have 
offered assistance with equipment, rescue teams, and various other 
forms of support. Many of these dedicated men and women have gone to 
their communities sponsoring blood, clothing, food and water drives. 
They have been an inspiration to us all and yet when asked why you will 
always hear the same reply: ``It's my job.'' In my home state of 
Connecticut, the thousands of men and women who serve our local fire 
and police departments have continually been on hand--ready and willing 
to do all that they can for our neighbors and I thank them for their 
incredible work. I want to especially commend the approximately eighty 
firefighters from the Third Congressional District of Connecticut who 
are now directly assisting in the New York rescue effort.
  It is with great pride and the deepest admiration that I rise today 
to pay tribute to these men and women and to thank them for their 
tremendous efforts on behalf of our communities and our nation. I stand 
today to urge all Americans to thank their local fire and police 
departments for all that they do for us every day.

                          ____________________