[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 142 (Friday, October 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. GREGG FROEHNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 10, 2003

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
great heroism of Mr. Gregg Froehner of Chester, New York, who 
courageously gave his life on the morning of September 11, 2001. The 
people of Gregg's hometown of Wayne, New Jersey, gathered on Saturday, 
October 11, 2003, to dedicate Froehner Memorial Park as an eternal 
commemoration of Gregg's lifetime commitment to serving others.
  Through his thoughts and actions on the fateful morning of September 
11th, 2001, Gregg Froehner demonstrated his great love for mankind in 
the face of unthinkable terror and confusion. His selfless assistance 
to the men and women who were trapped in the North Tower, without any 
regard for his own danger, was an unforgettable manifestation of the 
unique strength and spirit that makes the people of America so special. 
It is only fitting that Gregg he honored for his unwavering commitment 
to others in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely elected 
body on earth.
  Born on March 22, 1955, Gregg Froehner and his family first moved to 
Wayne, New Jersey when he was four years old. Growing up, Gregg took an 
active role in the community, volunteering as a Little League Coach, 
becoming an Eagle Scout, and enlisting as an active member of Preakness 
Volunteer Fire Company No. 4. By 1978, Gregg had graduated from William 
Paterson University with a degree in Public Administration, had been 
promoted to the rank of Captain at the fire house, and was working full 
time as a dispatcher for the Wayne Police Department. The following 
year, Gregg was hired by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 
thereby realizing his life-long dream of becoming a police officer.
  As an officer with the Port Authority, Gregg continually underwent 
specialized training, graduating from the New York City Police 
Department Emergency Service Unit's elite specialized training school, 
attending Army Chemical Identification and NBC Warfare School, 
completing a counter-terrorism course in toxic bio-chemical agents, 
graduating from courses in hazardous materials and confined space 
rappelling, and attending rescue diver training. Gregg applied this 
training daily during his 21 year career, receiving countless citations 
and awards for his rescues.
  What made Gregg Froehner such a special individual, however, was 
neither his training nor his frequent acts of heroism, but rather his 
capacity to give of himself to everyone he encountered. When called 
upon to assist others, Gregg was often the first one to respond, 
sacrificing rest and his personal time until the job was completed. 
Despite his gratitude for the many awards, commendations, and citations 
that Gregg received during his tenure at the Port Authority, he never 
let the praise of others be the guiding force in his life. In fact, 
upon Gregg's passing, his wife was astonished to find a number of 
citations and medals that she had not been aware that Gregg had 
received. It was this sense of humility and compassion that led Gregg 
to be one of the first responders to the scene on that tragic morning 
in 2001.
  Arriving a mere six minutes after the first plane hit the North Tower 
on the morning of September 11th, Gregg Froehner led an Emergency 
Services Unit into the burning tower to rescue the private citizens who 
were still trapped inside. Without a moment's hesitation, he and his 
team rushed in and started making their way up through the building, 
floor by floor, ultimately reaching the 40th floor before the building 
collapsed.
  On a day when Americans everywhere were forced to witness the very 
worst that mankind had to offer, the actions of men such as Gregg 
served as a reminder of the compassion that still existed in the world. 
To this day, foremost among the many unforgettable images that have 
been permanently inscribed in the minds of the American people are 
those of the courageous men and women who worked so valiantly to save 
the lives of others. The great sacrifice and love that was demonstrated 
by men and women such as Gregg Froehner has left an indelible mark on 
the lives of every American citizen, and will have a profound impact on 
generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Gregg's family and 
friends, and myself in recognizing the great compassion and bravery of 
Gregg Froehner.

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