[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E51-E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF LT. MIKE ``CHIP'' CHIAPPERINI, THOMASZ KACZOWKA AND THE 
                      WEST WEBSTER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2013

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Mike 
``Chip'' Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka of Webster, NY. These two 
heroes will be forever remembered for their brave and selfless 
commitment to the people they called neighbors, friends and family and 
the place they were proud to call home.
  Chip and Tomasz devoted their lives to public service. For 19 years, 
Chip worked his way through the ranks of the Webster Police 
Department--from Dispatcher, to Police Officer, Investigator, Sergeant 
and Lieutenant. Yet when each shift at the Police Department was 
complete, Chip's public service continued as a volunteer firefighter 
with the West Webster Fire Department. For 25 years Chip served as a 
volunteer firefighter and rose to be Fire Chief and advisor to the Fire 
Department's Fire Explorer Post.
  It was in his role as a firefighter that Chip oversaw a young 
volunteer firefighter and good family friend.
  Tomasz Kaczowka had the passion bestowed by youth, yet a dedication 
to service that went far beyond his years. From serving as an emergency 
dispatch operator for the City of Rochester, to responding to calls as 
a volunteer firefighter with the West Webster Fire Department, Tomasz 
showed an unrivaled commitment to helping others and a selflessness 
that set the bar high for future generations to come.
  As brothers in service, Tomasz viewed Chip as a mentor; in turn, Chip 
tutored and protected Tomasz as if he were a son.
  It is in the line of public service that these two friends would be 
taken from this Earth. On December 24, 2012, Chip and Tomasz were 
responding to a fire in the early morning darkness when a gunman opened 
fire and took their lives. Tomasz, as was his selfless nature, was on 
duty that morning so that other firefighters who are fathers could be 
at home with their families on Christmas Eve.
  There is little we can say to provide comfort to the neighbors, 
friends and family of Chip and Tomasz. Words, no matter their 
eloquence, fail to heal a pain which cannot be forgotten, and a loss 
that cannot be undone.
  Together Chip and Tomasz served alongside the distinguished men and 
women of the West Webster Fire Department--a family they loved like 
their own. When Chip and Tomasz were fallen by gun fire, their fellow 
firefighters had to persevere through the fear and pain, and bravely 
put out the fires that threatened to take more lives. Now, these brave 
firefighters grieve for the loss of their family members, while 
honoring them the best way they know how--through the work they do 
every day.
  I urge my fellow Members of Congress to follow the example of the 
West Webster Fire Department and honor Chip and Tomasz with the actions 
we take. Over the last two months, more than 900 Americans, including 
Chip and Tomasz, have been killed with a gun. This endless string of 
tragedies must be no more. Now is the time for Congress to enact a 
comprehensive and commonsense reform to our nation's gun laws, and 
renew our commitment to a mental health system that has been neglected 
for far too long.
  While no legislation can bring back Chip and Tomasz, nor fill the 
void left at their dinner tables every night, putting an end to 
senseless acts of gun violence can ensure that even in death, these two 
brave heroes will continue to save lives.
  Chip and Tomasz were a shining example of what we know to be true: 
that in America

[[Page E52]]

we are united, that as long as we walk this Earth we are committed to 
protecting one another and in so doing we will realize the promise of a 
better world. In their brave and selfless actions Chip and Tomasz lived 
this promise to each other, and now it is our turn to do the same.

                          ____________________