[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E258-E259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO JOHN BULAGA, JR., JEREMY GLICK, DEEPA PAKKALA, BRUCE 
                        REYNOLDS, JOSEPH VILARDO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to five 
outstanding individuals who were killed in the attacks on our nation on 
September 11th. For the past four months, we have heard and read the 
stories of countless family members, neighbors and friends who went to 
work on September 11th and never came home. I ask that the names of 
five of these men and women be kept in our nation's Congressional 
Record--commemorating them as true American heroes.
  Our northern New Jersey communities have been particularly hard-hit. 
We all know someone who was lost. Their stories are heart-wrenching, 
nearly unbearable in their sadness. Today, in northern New Jersey, 
families will gather to celebrate the strong and proud American spirits 
of five individuals taken from our community. ClearChannel 
Communications will also be present with the United Way to present the 
families of the victims with a donation. I thank everyone who will be 
taking part in this for their support and compassion for those who have 
lost a loved one.
  I have spoken to many families in my own attempt to bring them some 
consolation. Even though there are no words to relieve their anguish, I 
told each family that they should take comfort in the knowledge they 
are in the hearts and prayers of an entire nation. They are truly 
American heroes.
  Just as I have come to know the nearly 100 residents of my 
Congressional District who never came home on September 11, I have come 
to know John Bulaga, Jr., Jeremy Glick, Bruce Reynolds, Deepa Pakkala, 
and Joseph Vilardo.
  John Bulaga, Jr. was a man who loved planning for the future. John 
and his wife Michelle were within days of closing on a house for a 
future in Haskell when he was killed while working for eSpeed, with 
Cantor Fitzgerald. John focused a career on preparing for the future of 
technology and the internet. His wife finished some of the family's 
plans for the future, as she recently finished the closing of the house 
and will move there shortly with their two children, Rhiannon and 
Alannah.
  Jeremy Glick was one of the heroes aboard the fated United Flight 93 
that crashed in Pennsylvania. Before Jeremy and other passengers 
decided to attack the hijackers, Jeremy was able to call his wife, 
Lizbeth, providing important details about the terrorists' actions over 
his cell phone and telling Lizbeth how much he loved her. Jeremy's 
newborn daughter Emerson will grow up hearing of her father's brave 
actions.
  Deepa Pakkala never wanted to call it a day. Determined to not only 
succeed but excel, Deepa worked long hours in order to provide for her 
family. A young mother who had just begun working for Oracle 
Corporation, Deepa was with a client in the World Trade Center on 
September 11th. Last January, Deepa gave birth to a healthy baby girl, 
Trisha. The two months she took to spend with her daughter was the only 
time she has ever slowed down, according to her husband of ten years.
  Bruce Reynolds was last seen helping a woman with burns in the south 
World Trade Center tower. Bruce's father recalls that ever since Bruce 
was young, he knew he wanted to be a police officer to help people. He 
became a Port Authority Police Officer in June of 1986. Through his 
service and bravery, not only did his dream come true, but he has also 
saved people's lives and therefore made others' dreams possible. From 
the way people talk about Officer Bruce Reynolds, you can tell he was a 
truly special husband, father, son and fellow officer. Bruce's 
children, Brianna and Michael, can be very proud of their father.
  Joseph Vilardo loved his family more than anything. Joseph, a Senior 
Vice President with Cantor Fitzgerald, lived with his wife and children 
in Stanhope, nearby his parents and three sisters. According to his 
many friends, Joseph was a well-loved and well-respected individual. 
Regardless of how much work was required of him, Joseph always made 
time for his wife Patricia and their two children, Nicole and Matthew. 
Nicole and Matthew will have many memories of their father's love for 
them.
  These individuals have the admiration and thanks of an entire nation. 
Their families can be assured that this nation will never forget the 
atrocities of September 11th or the values for which they died. Out of 
this tragedy, our nation has emerged stronger and prouder than ever. 
And we now come together to tell these families they are not alone. 
America stands with them--now in their hour of grief, and in the days 
and years to come.

[[Page E259]]

  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 
lives of these noble Americans. May God bless these men and women, and 
those that are gathered today in their memory. And God bless America.

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