[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING MIAMI-DADE FIREFIGHTER LINDA HERNANDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of 
America's fallen heros. This past weekend, Washington, D.C. was the 
host of this year's National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony. 
Following the attacks of September 11, 200 1, this year's ceremony held 
a higher importance as it honored the 343 brave men and women 
firefighters who died in the terrorist attacks over a year ago. The 
courage shown by these firefighters embodies the values that we as a 
society find all to often in our heroes. While these men and women will 
always be remembered, we must not forget the many other American 
firefighters who died in the line of duty over the past year.
  One such person is Linda Hernandez, a Miami-Dade County firefighter 
who died September 18, 2001. While attending the firefighting college 
in Miami, she strived to excel in her duties. While she impressed the 
other trainees and instructors, Mrs. Hernandez earned the respect of 
her colleagues when she routinely helped other women through the 
rigorous physical and mental tests. Mary Giles, a friend of Linda's and 
a fellow Miami firefighter summed her feelings in the following words. 
``There were times when we wanted to throw in the towel. But Linda was 
always there for us. And we became determined that nothing would beat 
us.''
  Ms. Hernandez's life was tragically cut short, just one week after 
the horrible terrorist attacks on America. Her health problem began on 
March 28, 1999. In her capacity as a Miami-Dade County firefighter, 
Mrs. Hernandez had become an expert using the K-12, which is a special 
saw used to ventilate buildings during a fire. On March 28, 1999, she 
was using the machinery she had used so many times before when she was 
enveloped in smoke and left without the use of her oxygen tank. That 
day she was treated for smoke inhalation and lung damage and given 
medication to combat the damage. Unfortunately, the medication had the 
opposite effect, destroying her liver, and necessitating a transplant 
in June of 2000. However, after a year, her body rejected the 
transplant and sadly Mrs. Hernandez died of her illness.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Hernandez is one of 446 brave firefighters who died 
while protecting our families and communities this past year. While we 
have had time since September 11, 2001 to realize the importance of 
public servants and the outstanding jobs they often perform, we 
sometimes forget that these men and women risk their lives every day to 
make sure we are safe. Mrs. Hernandez left behind her husband, Miami-
Dade police Sergeant Paul Hernandez, and four children. While we join 
to mourn their loss, we must rejoice in the positive impact that Miami-
Dade firefighter Linda Hernandez had on the Miami-Dade community.

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