[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING FIRE SERVICE SPECIALIST RODERICK R. MENO, GUAM'S 2008 
                        FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2008

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize, congratulate 
and commend Fire Service Specialist Roderick R. Meno on being named 
Guam's Firefighter of the Year for 2008.
  Roderick, a native son of southern Guam, grew up in a family of 
outstanding firefighters: his father, retired Deputy Fire Chief Frank 
C. Meno; his brothers, Fire Specialist Frank R. Meno, Fire Captain Kurt 
R. Meno, Fire Fighter II Brian R. Meno; and nephew Fire Fighter I 
Joshua R. Meno. This exposure, from his early youth, to a family of 
dedicated public servants imbued in Roderick an instinctive desire to 
serve the public, and protect life and property as his father and 
siblings did before him.
  Roderick's upbringing in the closely knit village of Inarajan also 
inculcated in him the spirit of community and volunteerism. From his 
father, a recognized Chamorro master builder, he learned skills as a 
general overall handyman, a skill he unhesitatingly used to assist his 
fire precinct in the operations and maintenance of its fire station. He 
used these skills to perform renovations of the station control room, 
improving working conditions for his fellow firefighters. His skills as 
a carpenter and do-it-yourselfer enabled him to perform modifications 
to the sleeping quarters of his fellow firefighters, rendering those 
quarters more comfortable and organized. When he saw a need and he knew 
he had the skills to accomplish the work, he did not hesitate.
  And just as his spirit of volunteerism motivated him to apply his 
skills to work he could perform, Roderick did not hesitate to use his 
own resources to accomplish these tasks. Roderick would begin projects 
knowing that financial support from the government may not be 
available. He used his own tools and when he needed materials and 
parts, rather than waiting for the cumbersome government procurement 
process, he used his own finances to purchase parts and materials.
  And Roderick did all of this, ever mindful of, and never neglecting, 
his duties and responsibilities as a firefighter. As his father and 
brothers before him, Roderick Meno was always ready to serve and 
protect. For these attributes that have characterized our Nation's 
outstanding firefighters, Roderick Meno joins his father and brothers, 
and America's firefighters whose dedication to purpose and spirit of 
community make them outstanding role models for all citizens in all 
roles of life. Fire Service Specialist Meno, thank you very much.

                          ____________________