[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF BRENDAN BECK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2010

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, on behalf of myself and Congresswoman Kay 
Granger, I rise today in memory of Brendan Beck, a casualty of the 
tragic earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 
2010. As a civil engineer, Brendan had traveled to Haiti to help the 
U.S. Agency for International Development to begin a project analyzing 
the infrastructure of Northern Haiti.
  After studying engineering at the University of Florida, he went on 
to join the Peace Corps, where he served in the African nation of Mali. 
His adventurous spirit led him to travel the world, where he was able 
to utilize his knowledge of engineering to transform underprivileged 
nations. Brendan was always quick to lend a helping hand to those in 
need.
  Brendan tragically lost his life in the collapse of the Hotel 
Montana. While helping study the infrastructure of Northern Haiti, 
Brendan was forced to make a stop in Port-au-Prince due to weather. He 
checked into the Hotel Montana hours before the earthquake struck.
  After receiving the devastating news, Sally Baldwin, Brendan's 
mother, visited Washington, DC to share Brendan's story, and encouraged 
us to continue supporting the efforts of the recovery teams. She asked 
for search and rescue support to be specifically targeted at the site 
of the Hotel Montana.
  Brendan's family was notified on February 15, 2010, 34 days after the 
earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, that Brendan had been found. Although 
his family was extremely grateful to have him returned, they were 
devastated they lost such an incredible son. His family and friends 
have expressed their grief in the loss of a son, brother and friend, 
whose fervor for life was indescribable.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that we rise today to honor the 
memory of Brendan Beck. Brendan exemplified the qualities of a model 
citizen, and I am proud to represent such an outstanding individual in 
the United States House of Representatives.

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