[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 123 (Friday, August 7, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    REMEMBERING THOMAS MAROVICH, JR.

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the life of Thomas M. Marovich, Jr. This brave man lost his 
life while working to protect Californians from a forest fire.
  On July 21, 2009, Thomas Marovich died during a rappel proficiency 
training exercise while he was assigned as an apprentice with the 
Chester Helitack Crew fighting the Backbone Fire in Humboldt County. He 
was 20 years old.
  Those who knew Thomas recall that, since childhood, his dream was to 
become a firefighter. When he was a student at James Logan High School 
in Union City, he was honored as Student of the Year in the regional 
fire technology program. Shortly thereafter, he began his firefighting 
service as a member of the Cadet Program for the Fremont Fire 
Department at the age of 17 and became an emergency medical technician, 
EMT, by 18. He was hired on as a firefighter for the Modoc National 
Forest in the Big Valley Ranger District in Adin, CA, after working as 
a volunteer while completing basic fire training. In 2008, after two 
fire seasons, he was hired as a Wildland firefighter apprentice to 
train for fire management. Thomas is survived by his parents, sister, 
and three grandparents.
  Thomas Marovich, like all those who fight fires across California, 
put his life on the line to protect our communities. My heart goes out 
to his family and loved ones and my thoughts and prayers are with them. 
We are forever indebted to him for his courage, service, and 
sacrifice.

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