[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REMEMBERING ALEXANDRIA PARAMEDIC JOSHUA WEISSMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2012

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I enter into 
the Record the passing of Paramedic Joshua Weissman. Paramedic Weissman 
was born in Ithaca, New York, lived in Bristow, Virginia with his wife 
Rebecca and worked for the City of Alexandria.
  While responding to a car fire on I 395 last week, Paramedic Weissman 
had a tragic fall from the roadway, down an embankment, where he 
suffered a severe head injury.
  City of Alexandria and Arlington County firefighters, paramedics, and 
police responded immediately, rushing to the scene. Despite their 
valiant efforts, and those by the medical team at the Washington 
Hospital Center, Paramedic Weissman's injuries proved fatal. It was a 
great loss for the Weissman family and the entire Alexandria community.
  Mr. Weissman served as a paramedic for the City for nearly six years. 
In that time, he compiled a record of outstanding performance ratings 
as an enthusiastic, energetic and engaging instructor who took great 
pleasure providing innovation to the work of his department.
  Joshua was very active in a variety of career-related organizations 
that interacted with the community and honed his abilities. He was a 
regular participant in, and member of, the EMS Training Committee, the 
EMS Quality Management Committee--where he was in charge of the Call of 
the Quarter Submissions--and the EMS 1/5/10/20 Committee. Josh was also 
instrumental in the establishment of the Field Training Program for EMS 
Interns, receiving the Alexandria Jaycees Award in 2011 for his 
contributions to that effort.
  Josh's reputation as a top paramedic was well known. Numerous letters 
to his department commending his work from members of the Alexandria 
community are testament to that fact. In one instance, Josh responded 
to a home incident in which a grandmother, carrying her young grandson, 
tripped and fell. The boy's mother, upon arriving home after the 
incident, was concerned with the medical status of her son. Josh went 
out of his way to revisit the home to reassure the little boy's mother 
that he had been thoroughly checked out during the initial response, 
thus alleviating the mother's concerns and an unnecessary and likely 
expensive trip to the hospital. The mother was so impressed by Josh's 
concern that she wrote a letter to the Fire Chief expressing her 
appreciation. That's the way Josh lived day in, day out, going the 
extra mile to serve those in need.
  Mr. Speaker, Joshua Weissman made the ultimate sacrifice in the line 
of duty. His untimely death is a loss to the entire community. Not only 
was he an outstanding paramedic, Joshua was also a dedicated family 
member, coworker, and friend. Paramedic Weissman's service will not be 
forgotten. He has left us a legacy of honor, kindness, and bravery.

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