[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H6222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE MEMORY AND HEROIC SACRIFICE OF STATEN ISLAND FIREMAN 
                   LIEUTENANT GORDON ``MATT'' AMBELAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Grimm) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GRIMM. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart but also with a 
swelling of pride that I rise before this House today to honor the 
memory and the heroic sacrifice of one of the FDNY's bravest--
Lieutenant Gordon ``Matt'' Ambelas.
  Lieutenant Ambelas, a veteran Staten Island fireman with 14 years of 
distinguished service, tragically gave his life this past Fourth of 
July weekend. He was attempting to rescue victims trapped in a horrific 
blaze in Brooklyn.
  Lieutenant Ambelas leaves behind a devoted wife and two beautiful 
girls. He is New York's first firefighter to fall in the line of duty 
since 2012. While a family and a community mourn the excruciating loss 
of one of their finest native sons--one of their most dedicated 
protectors--Lieutenant Ambelas is a testament to the uncommon courage 
and sacrifice at the very core of the entire FDNY family and to the 
harrowing dangers they face in keeping America's greatest city safe 
every day.
  Lieutenant Ambelas died after searching the 19th floor of a burning 
Brooklyn housing complex, determined to leave no innocent victim 
behind, as the flames spread rapidly from floor to floor. Undaunted by 
the danger that would have melted the courage of most any man, Matt 
faced it, undeterred, head on.
  So I join all of my constituents in Brooklyn, on Staten Island, and 
all New Yorkers in acknowledging the immense debt of gratitude we all 
owe to Matt and his brothers in the FDNY, who put our safety above 
their own day in and day out.
  While standing among those honoring Lieutenant Ambelas at his funeral 
on Staten Island last week, I was humbled by the incredible valor of 
Matt's actions. We watched as Matt's brothers in uniform, especially 
the Beach Boys of Ladder 81 on Staten Island and the Hooper Street Gang 
of Ladder 119 in Brooklyn, paid their final respects to the fallen 
hero. Seeing firsthand the mixture of strength and despair on their 
faces, I saw Matt's wife, Nanette, and their beautiful daughters, 
Giovanna and Gabriella. This was a very stark reminder that not only do 
we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to fallen heroes like Matt but 
also to the loving families that bear the immeasurable sacrifice right 
along with them.
  When our Nation was viciously attacked on 9/11, 343 FDNY firefighters 
gave their lives. Since then, 18 more, including Matt, have fallen in 
the line of duty. Each loss, while a weight on our hearts, adds yet 
another angel to that storied brotherhood of heroes. I ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in the remembrance and commemoration of a true 
American hero in every sense of the word.
  May God bless Lieutenant Ambelas. May He bring comfort to his young 
family. May He protect all of our brave FDNY firefighters, and may the 
noble sacrifice enshrined in Matt's memory never be forgotten.
  To you, Nanette, please know that you, Gia, and Gabby are in my 
thoughts, in my prayers, and my heart is broken for your enormous loss.

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