[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 16, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE OF HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN JAY JAHNKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2001

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life of 
Houston Fire Department Captain Jay H. Jahnke. A 20-year veteran of the 
department, Jahnke, aged 40, died in the line of duty on the morning of 
Saturday, October 13, 2001.
  Captain Jahnke and the three other fire fighters were attempting to 
help residents trapped by choking smoke and flames escape a fire that 
had broken out in a high-rise apartment building. After carrying over 
100 pounds of equipment up five flights of stairs, in full gear 
including breathing apparatus, they found themselves trapped by the 
blaze. The crew sent in to rescue Capt. Jahnke and his men were also 
temporarily trapped by the fury and intensity of this fire before being 
rescued. While no other fire fighters were killed, several others were 
injured.
  Due to the rapid response and quick action of the Houston Fire 
Department, only one resident died in this fire. Three fire fighters 
and 12 residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation or burns. 300 
residents were left homeless by this fierce blaze.
  As the grandson and nephew of fire fighters myself, I am familiar 
with the Jahnke name. For many years, Jahnkes have served in the 
Houston Fire Department with distinction. Currently, over a dozen 
Jahnkes answer the call and lay their lives on the line as fire 
fighters. Numerous other fire fighters are part of the Jahnke extended 
family through marriage.
  His father, Claude Jahnke, was a District Chief who died of a heart 
attack while training for the departmental Olympics. Three uncles, 
former District Chief Marvin ``Roe'' Jahnke, who died in 1991; retired 
Assistant Chief Eugene ``Duke'' Jahnke; and former District Chief in 
charge of cadet training, and namesake for the department's training 
center Val Jahnke, all protected our community for many years.
  Jay Jahnke died doing his job, trying to protect and evacuate 
Houstonians whose lives were in danger. The words of his cousin, 
District Chief Steve Jahnke, say it best: ``That early in the morning, 
you know there are people sleeping in. They had to get them out, so 
they took a calculated risk. That's what the job's about. We don't ever 
go in trying to commit suicide, but we do take calculated risks, and 
that's what Jay did. It's what all firemen do.''
  Jahnke is survived by his wife, Dawn; daughter, Jayne, 11; son, 
Hunter, 8; mother, Katherine; brother, Jeff; and sisters Karen and Mary 
Ann.
  Mr. Speaker, across our nation every day, people like Capt. Jahnke 
put their lives on the line. Later this week, I plan to introduce 
legislation that would help not just the Houston Fire Department, but 
departments across America protect our lives and homes by providing 
Federal assistance for hiring additional fire fighters.
  The SAFER Act of 2001, which would be modeled after the successful 
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), will provide direct 
funding in the form of grants to States or communities for the hiring 
of additional fire fighters. It will help fire departments meet 
industry minimum standards for staffing and enhance the ability of fire 
fighters to save lives, property, and effectively respond to 
emergencies.
  We can never replace Houston Fire Captain Jay Jahnke, loving father 
and husband, skilled fire fighter, and loyal friend. It is my hope, 
though, that we can provide the residents of Houston with a greater 
level of fire protection, and prevent incidents like this one from 
happening in the future.

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