[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E436-E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. THOMAS SHEPARDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2003

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Thomas 
Shepardson. He was a life resident of Syracuse, NY, a graduate of 
Simmons Institute of Funeral Service and the owner of two local funeral 
homes. Aside from Tom's loving family, one of his most notable 
accomplishment was the creation of the Disaster Mortuary Operational 
Rescue Team, D-MORT. Tom died of a sudden heart attack this past 
February 18th, he was only 59 years old.
  It was Tom's ingenuity to bring together the expertise of 
pathologists, dentists, morticians, police and rescue workers to 
collect and identify bodies after incidents of mass destruction. This 
successful collaboration has grown from a local county response team 
into 10 regional D-MORT teams across the country. Under

[[Page E437]]

Tom's leadership, D-MORT teams have responded to numerous disasters, 
including the September 11th attacks and the Oklahoma City bombings.
  Mr. Speaker, directing these teams during such tragic situations is a 
daunting task. However Tom handled them with ease. He was always 
looking to help others while controlling the situation with his calm 
and collective demeanor. His leadership will certainly be missed.
  It is truly an honor to recognize a man who's work has had such a 
positive and beneficial impact on so many lives. Mr. Shepardson leaves 
behind his wife Jacqueline, daughter Laura and two sons Peter and 
Christopher. Certainly they will miss Tom greatly, as will D-MORT and 
its members.

                          ____________________