[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E256-E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH NAVAS, PORT AUTHORITY OFFICER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay 
tribute to one of New Jersey's finest--Joseph Navas of the Port 
Authority of New York and New Jersey. A resident of Paramus, New 
Jersey, Joseph Navas died valiantly trying to save lives during the 
September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Joseph was not 
only a dedicated veteran police officer for the Port Authority, but 
also a devoted and loving father and husband. And although he may have 
been taken early from this life, his children will grow up knowing that 
their father was a hero to his family, and now a hero to his country. I 
am proud to pay tribute to this courageous American hero.
  As forces of terror tried to extinguish the light of our nation on 
September 11, the heroes in our midst shined brighter than ever. For 
some, we know what heroic endeavors were undertaken as we hear stories 
from cell phones, emails, and survivors. And then there are those whose 
story was not told, yet we know--because of the people they were--it 
was a selfless courageous story. We know this because these men and 
women were heroes before they even entered the World Trade Center 
Towers to begin their rescue missions. Officer Navas was one of those 
people.
  That Tuesday, his work and courage brought him into the lobbies of 
the World Trade Center as people flooded onto the streets. He was one 
of the men and women who ran up the stairs while instructing people to 
immediately get down those same stairs and outside. He was one who 
orchestrated safe escapes for those in the towers, while remaining in 
those very buildings to get people out. His efforts will never be 
forgotten, especially by those who were saved.

[[Page E257]]

  Someday we may hear the story of the lives Officer Navas saved or the 
comfort he provided. But for now, we can be proud: proud of the job he 
was doing, proud of the heroism he showed on that day, and proud of the 
courage he has always shown.
  To his family, stories of Joseph's heroism are nothing new. A 1985 
graduate of the Port Authority Police Academy, Joseph joined the Port 
Authority's Emergency Services Unit at Journal Square several years 
ago. Since then, he has rapelled off of buildings, waded through floods 
in search of victims, and trained for rescue diving. Officer Navas was 
at the World Trade Center for the first bombing in 1993 where he 
participated in the rescue. Recently, he saved a person prepared to 
jump from the George Washington Bridge. Joseph never mentioned the 
dramatic rescue to his family. They read about it later in the local 
paper.
  His focus wasn't on bragging about his success. For him, it was 
simply part of the job. Joseph's focus was on his family--his wife of 
15 years, Karen, and his children, Jessica, Joey, and Justin.
  I cannot say I knew him personally--so I will not presume to 
elaborate on his life and times. That is for his family and friends, 
and we will not only hear stories of Joseph in years to come, but I 
believe we will also see him in the actions of his loved ones, as his 
spirit lives on.
  Joseph has the admiration and thanks of an entire nation. His family 
can be assured that this nation will never forget the atrocities of 
September 11th or the values for which Joseph died.
  Our country has come together. And we now come together to tell 
Joseph's family they are not alone. America stands with them--now in 
their hour of grief, and in the days and years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Port 
Authority Officer Joseph Navas for his achievements in life and the 
legacy he leaves. Let us never forget him--a true American hero.

                          ____________________