[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN KATHY MAZZA OF PORT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to pay tribute to 
Captain Kathy Mazza of the Port Authority Police Department who died 
heroically at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
  This past Monday, October 14, 2002, I was privileged to take part in 
a very moving ceremony which designated North Suffolk Avenue in North 
Massapequa as Captain Kathy Mazza Way. The ceremony, which was held 
directly across from the home where Captain Mazza grew up, was attended 
by her husband, Chris Delosh, who is a member of the New York City 
Police Department; her parents, Rose and John Mazza; her three 
brothers; and many of her countless friends. The ceremony was conducted 
by Hon. John Venditto, the Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay.
  There were many heroes on September 11th but no one was more heroic 
than Kathy Mazza. On the morning of September 11th, Captain Mazza was 
in New Jersey, serving as the Commanding Officer of the Port Authority 
Police Academy. Immediately upon learning of the attack on the Twin 
Towers, however, Captain Mazza raced to the World Trade Center in lower 
Manhattan and entered the North Tower where she proceeded to take a 
leadership role in the rescue effort--at one point reaching the 22nd 
floor.
  What set Captain Mazza apart from all others is that she was 
personally responsible for evacuating hundreds of people. She did this 
by having the presence of mind to use her service revolver to shoot out 
floor-to-ceiling glass walls on the mezzanine level of Tower 1 enabling 
so many trapped people to escape. Shortly after, at 10:29 a.m. Captain 
Mazza was killed when Tower 1 collapsed.
  This extraordinary heroism and dedication to duty characterized Kathy 
Mazza's entire life. Prior to becoming a police officer she had been a 
cardiothoracic operating nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, New 
York. As a police officer she was instrumental in launching the Port 
Authority's portable heart defibiilator program at the metropolitan 
airports. And as Commanding Officer of the Police Academy she achieved 
a record of unsurpassed excellence and achievement.
  September 11, 2001 was a day of brutality, horror and terror. But it 
was also a day when brave Americans such as Captain Kathy Mazza 
demonstrated a bravery and courage which will be remembered throughout 
the history of our nation. For that and for so much more, we will 
always be in her debt.
  May she rest in peace.

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