[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E28]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN, FIRE SERVICE CONSTRUCTION EDUCATOR 
WITH A LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE AS A GROUNDBREAKING LEADER IN PROVIDING 
                         FOR FIREFIGHTER SAFETY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great 
sadness and tremendous gratitude to honor the life of Francis L. 
Brannigan, who over the years has helped firefighters be more astute to 
the importance of knowing building construction to promote firefighter 
safety. As a groundbreaking leader in providing for firefighter safety, 
Frank was one of the first to realize that the biggest threat to 
firefighters were the buildings they were working in. Throughout his 
career, Frank provided constant focus on the issues associated with 
building construction and the fire environment. The safety of 
firefighters was always the focus of his message and as a result, 
generations of firefighters will be safer because of his message. The 
knowledge that he possessed, and generously shared, was second to none.
  Frank Brannigan devoted more than half of his 63-year career to the 
safety of firefighters in building fires. He was well known as the 
author of ``Building Construction for the Fire Service,'' and for his 
lectures and videotapes. The first edition of his ``Building 
Construction for the Fire Service'' was an instant success in 1971. 
Since then, it has sold more than 130,000 copies in three editions, the 
most recent of which was published in 1992. Designated by Fire Chief as 
one of the 20 people who most influenced the fire service in the 20th 
century, Frank Brannigan was truly one of the giants of the fire 
service.
  Frank Brannigan was not a fire chief or an engineer, but he became 
one of the most important influences in the fire service in the last 
quarter of the 20th century. I am proud to say I knew Frank Brannigan.
  Mr. Speaker, the Fire Service has lost an exceptional leader and 
guardian of firefighters everywhere. I wish Frank Brannigan's wife 
Maurine and family my heartfelt condolences and may they find comfort 
in knowing that the many people he impacted deeply value his dedication 
and generosity and the example of his life and work. Frank Brannigan 
exemplified the spirit of service that has made this country great. As 
long as firefighters fight fires, the fire service will be the 
beneficiary of Frank's writing, scholarship, zeal and life-saving 
message.

                          ____________________