[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 62 (Friday, April 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GEORGE GERARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 18, 2008

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary contributions of George Gerard and his auto mechanic team 
at Madison Auto Body Shop in Madison, Connecticut. Over the past 5 
months, the Madison Auto Body Shop donated time, talent and resources 
to refurbishing a historic 9/11 Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle, 
EVR, #1054.
  On September 11, 2001, the Red Cross' ERV #1054 was one of the first 
vehicles on the recovery scene. Following a six-month service period of 
laborious cleanup duties, the vehicle fell into disrepair and was 
retired to the American Red Cross of South Central Connecticut in New 
Haven. In the fall of 2007, the New Haven Register ran an article, 
outlining the New Haven Red Cross chapter's hope for restoring ERV 
#1054, to use for local disaster response. George and the Madison Auto 
Body Shop team responded to the article, volunteering countless hours 
and resources, to refurbish the historic ERV #1054. Today with new, 
polished parts, everything down to the smallest screw, the ERV #1054 
stands in pristine condition.
  The Madison Auto Body team that worked on the ERV #1054's 
reconstruction was led by George Gerard and included Amanda Wigham, 
Jeff Tuthill, Ryan Dudley, Carlos Reva, Robert Rich, Ernie Bozza, Juan 
Roque, Augie Cozaeatal, and Fernando Sambreo.
  Madam Speaker, on September 11, 2001, our world changed. We witnessed 
the worst of mankind, incited by destructive hatred. The destruction of 
the day, however, was eclipsed by the continuity of our Nation led by 
all American communities, large and small, from all demographics, from 
coast to coast. Today, our Nation remains stronger than ever, and 
efforts like those of the Madison Auto Body Shop remind us of this. I 
ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing 
their contributions.

                          ____________________