[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 22 (Wednesday, March 2, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN MARK FRANCIS McCORMACK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2005

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Santa Clara 
County Fire Captain Mark Francis McCormack, whose life was tragically 
cut short on Sunday, February 13, 2005. Mark was the first firefighter 
killed in the line of duty in the 58-year history of the Santa Clara 
County Fire Department. Members from more than 100 fire departments 
throughout the State of California gathered at his memorial service to 
show support for one of their own.
  Mark began his career as a firefighter in 1989. He was serious about 
his work, and was constantly working to improve his skills in order to 
serve his community better. Mark's hard work showed in 2001 when he 
received the Award of Valor for his contributions to both the Santa 
Clara County Fire Department and the community. He was a model 
firefighter, an enthusiastic team member, and a good friend to his 
colleagues.
  When Mark wasn't fighting fires, he worked as a volunteer counselor 
for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation's Champ Camp, a summer camp in 
the Sierra Nevada for young burn victims. As a child, Mark was badly 
burned on an electric stove and had to undergo several surgeries to 
repair the injury. Mark always found the silver lining in any 
situation, and that's exactly what he did with his burn experience. He 
used it to help children realize that they are not alone--to help them 
realize their inner beauty. Mark was a favorite around camp, serving as 
a role model to many of the children he met there.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to say ``thank you'' to 
Mark McCormack for devoting his life to helping others, and for his 
service in keeping my home district safe. And my deepest condolences to 
his wife, Heather, who wrote to her husband, ``You are my life, my 
hero, and without you my heart will forever be broken.'' I wish that 
hearts could be mended with words, and that I could find those magical 
words to say to you. Heather, please know that my thoughts and prayers 
are with you, and that your husband was not only your hero, but Santa 
Clara County's, too.

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