[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING MICHELLE ALYSSA CARILLI AS THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE 
                 COUNCIL JUNIOR FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 2010

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michelle 
Alyssa Carilli, the recipient of the National Volunteer Fire Council's 
Junior Firefighter of the Year Award. Michelle is currently a senior at 
Coventry High School, which is located in Coventry, Connecticut.
  Each year the National Volunteer Fire Council conducts a national 
search to honor a junior firefighter who has gone above and beyond the 
normal call of duty in his or her commitment to the fire and emergency 
services. Michelle's outstanding contributions to the Coventry 
Volunteer Fire Association truly embody what it means to be a junior 
firefighter. Michelle's family is no stranger to public service, with 
her father serving as chief of the Coventry Volunteer Fire Department, 
alongside numerous other relatives.
  For almost four years, Michelle has dedicated herself to public 
service in her community. During that time, she raised almost $2,000 so 
that the Coventry Fire Department could sponsor the Coventry Special 
Olympics, organized the Volunteer for Life program for her fellow high 
school students to become first aid certified and led a recruitment 
campaign to get more students involved with the department which 
resulted in many of their parents becoming volunteer firefighters and 
EMTs. She holds the rank of Junior Firefighter Captain and was the 
first junior firefighter to be named the Coventry Volunteer Fire 
Association's Emergency Medical Service Provider of the Year.
  Michelle's performance as a Junior Firefighter is mirrored by her 
success as a scholar and an athlete. She is an honor roll student at 
Coventry High School and a captain of the school's State Champion 
volleyball team. She is also a Varsity basketball player and track 
athlete.
  Madam Speaker, public safety in our communities is dependent on 
outstanding volunteers like Michelle Carilli. Her selfless service to 
her town, her department, and her school makes her truly deserving of 
the distinction of Junior Firefighter of the Year. I ask my colleagues 
to join with me and my constituents in recognizing Michelle's 
contributions and celebrating her award.

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