[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 52 (Thursday, March 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN McNAMARA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2009

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to the 
attention of my colleagues and the entire nation the service and 
sacrifice of firefighter and 9/11 first responder John McNamara.
  A 10-year veteran of the New York Fire Department, John is currently 
assigned to Engine Co. 234 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He is a first 
responder who not only assisted during the search and rescue efforts 
following September 11th, 2001, but also assisted the New Orleans Fire 
Department and the citizens of Louisiana during the aftermath of 
Hurricane Katrina.
  Formerly a resident of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and currently a resident 
of Blue Point, Long Island, John is valiantly struggling to survive a 
nearly three-year battle with Stage 4, metastatic colon cancer. John, 
age 43, and his wife Jennifer have a 2\1/2\ year old son named Jack.
  In the firefighting tradition of ``leaving no man behind,'' John's 
friends and fellow firefighters at Engine 234 / Ladder 123, Engine 220 
/ Ladder 122, the Blue Point Volunteer Fire Department and the New York 
City Firefighter Brotherhood Foundation are working hard to see that 
John and his family are supported as his battle grows more difficult.
  Like John, many of the brave first responders who served at Ground 
Zero are now struggling with debilitating diseases as a result of their 
courageous efforts. As a nation, we made a promise to help all those 
who suffered as a result of the heinous acts of September 11th. We must 
keep that promise. We must ensure that those brave first responders 
receive the medical care and other support they need.
  Today, we in Congress honor John McNamara for his service to New York 
and to our nation.

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