[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF CAPTAIN JOHN FREIDHOFF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2009

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Captain 
John Freidhoff, a beloved member of the Western New York community who 
died tragically on October 19, 2007 in a diving accident, while working 
for our region and our waterfront. Our community honors him today 
through the dedication of a research vessel operated by Buffalo State 
College's Great Lakes Center.
  Captain Freidhoff's commitment to the Western New York community is 
evident by simply understanding the multitude of activities, 
organizations, and causes he was involved in. He was a firefighter and 
an emergency medical technician for the Lake Erie Beach Volunteer Fire 
Company in the Town of Evans, a diver for the Lake Erie Rescue Team, a 
Coast Guard Reservist, and an active member with the ALERT--Advanced 
Local Emergency Rescue Team organization. He was also a Cub Scout 
Leader for Troop 578, a softball coach, and a youth group leader for 
First Church of Evans.
  As lead boat captain and field station manager for Buffalo State 
College's Great Lakes Center for the Environment, Captain John was a 
champion for the Great Lakes, dedicated to managing water science 
projects that help us learn more about our waters, marine life and the 
protection of our environment.
  Captain John Freidhoff, at 46 years old, leaves behind his wife 
Victoria, and their four children: Melissa, Jessica, Shauna and Joseph 
John. Captain Jeff Ogden eulogized that, even with all of Freidhoff's 
commitments, he managed to ``put his family first.''
  Captain John touched the lives of many in the Western New York area 
evidenced by a crowd of nearly 500 people, including 200+ military, law 
enforcement, and fire personnel, who gathered at his service to pay 
their respects to this selfless, hard working, and charitable man.
  Today, in a fitting tribute, the State University of New York College 
at Buffalo names a research vessel in Captain John's honor. And as the 
Captain John Freidhoff Vessel sets sail, Captain John's legacy lives on 
across the waters of the Great Lakes through the research conducted by 
future generations.
  It is my honor to pay tribute to Captain John Freidhoff's life of 
service to the community of Western New York. Our community will miss 
this environmental advocate, family man, friend, co-worker, honorable 
leader and waterfront hero.

                          ____________________