[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 22 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING NEW ORLEANS' FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN FIREFIGHTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 8, 2016

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th year 
since the City of New Orleans hired its first African American 
Firefighter.
   George Mondy was the first African American to join the paid 
department as a professional firefighter with the New Orleans Fire 
Department. Firefighter Mondy opened the doors to professional 
firefighting in February 1965. As he worked diligently to overcome 
racial barriers of the times, his persistence and perseverance paid 
off. Firefighter Mondy was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator to drive 
and operate the fire trucks. He retired in 1991, after 26 years with 
the department. Shortly after his retirement, Operator Mondy applied 
and was rehired as a fire supply technician. Firefighter Mondy was a 
trailblazer on whose shoulders many firefighters stand today. I believe 
it was his can do attitude and manifestation of competence that let the 
department know it was depriving itself and the City of New Orleans by 
not hiring African Americans. The late George Mondy's name has been 
written in the history of the New Orleans Fire Department. Today, I 
submit Firefighter Mondy's name to be written in the U.S. Congressional 
Record.
   Mr. Speaker, as a beneficiary of the courage, commitment and 
sacrifice of Firefighter Mondy, I celebrate his life and legacy, 
because he helped make America a more perfect union. With that, I yield 
back the balance of my time.

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