[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 16, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S6920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING JOYCE CRAIG LEWIS

 Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, today, I honor fallen Philadelphia 
firefighter, Joyce Craig Lewis. Ms. Craig Lewis tragically perished on 
Tuesday, December 9, 2014, while courageously battling a house fire in 
the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia.
  Ms. Craig Lewis was a proud 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire 
Department and a certified EMT. A native of Philadelphia, Ms. Craig 
Lewis was one of 58 women among the nearly 1,800 firefighters in the 
city. Joyce served in several of the most active firehouses in 
Philadelphia.
  Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer praised Ms. Craig Lewis 
for having a strong work ethic as evidenced by her desire to be 
stationed in challenging environments. Mayor Michael Nutter aptly 
stated that her passing is a tremendous loss for Philadelphians.
  Joyce Craig Lewis is the first female firefighter in Philadelphia to 
die in the line of duty. She is survived by her 16-year-old son and 16-
month-old daughter.
  On behalf of the U.S. Senate, I wish to express my condolences to her 
family, friends, brothers and sisters in fire departments across the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. May she rest in peace.

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