[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H2433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING KEY WEST FIRE DEPARTMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Curbelo) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Key West Fire Department on their Class 1 Insurance Service Office 
rating, the highest achievable rating that a fire department can 
attain.
  They are 1 out of fewer than 200 departments in the Nation to receive 
this score, which is based off of a multitude of factors, including 
training, response time, and how well they are equipped.
  This rating also helps by providing residents with the lowest fire 
insurance rates possible, something I am sure that all Key West 
residents appreciate.
  I commend Fire Chief David Fraga and the entire Key West Fire 
Department on their diligent work and their devotion to keeping 
everyone in Key West safe. We are very fortunate to have a strong team 
of firefighters protecting us.


               Recognizing Florida Keys Marathon Airport

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the 
Florida Keys Marathon Airport for officially becoming an international 
airport on April 20, 2016.
  For 8 years the staff has worked to attain this clarification. It 
comes as no surprise to me that they were able to achieve this feat. I 
commend the Florida Keys Marathon Airport on receiving this well-
deserved designation. This airport will provide additional travel 
options for the families living in our community and the millions of 
tourists who visit south Florida every year.
  Congratulations to Mayor Senmartin, Vice Mayor Kelly, council members 
Zieg, Coldiron, and Bartus, and city manager Chuck Lindsey and, also, 
former Mayor Ramsey and former city manager Mike Puto, all who worked 
very hard to make this a reality.


                  Recognizing Officer Mario Gutierrez

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Miami-
Dade Police Department's own Officer Mario Gutierrez, who received the 
Medal of Valor, the highest decoration of honor given to public safety 
officers in the United States.
  In 2013, Officer Gutierrez was on a routine call when he noticed an 
individual exhibiting strange behavior at a gas station near Miami 
International Airport. As Officer Gutierrez approached, the man 
attempted to light a gas pump on fire. In an attempt to disarm the 
assailant, who was holding a knife, Gutierrez received several stab 
wounds that nearly cost him his life.
  Had the assailant been successful in causing a mass fire, many lives 
may have been lost on that day. Officer Gutierrez went above and beyond 
the call of duty to protect the members of our community. We thank him 
for his service, his selflessness, and his bravery in the face of 
danger.
  Officer Gutierrez, thank you. You are a true hero.


                      Recognizing Mr. Brian Reedy

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Brian Reedy, a seventh grade visual arts teacher from Zelda Glazer 
Middle School in my south Florida congressional district.
  In 2014, Mr. Reedy became the visual arts instructor at Zelda Glazer 
and, in only 2 years, has propelled the program to national 
recognition. Mr. Reedy has received numerous accolades for his work at 
Zelda Glazer, with his fellow teachers referring to the work of his 
students as magnet quality. His classroom, however, does not require an 
application to enter like many art magnet programs in south Florida. 
Any student can register.
  Students have had their art pieces showcased from local shows in 
Miami all the way to the New York Scholastic Art Awards. What is even 
more impressive is that Mr. Reedy works with a wide range of talents, 
including those just getting started to people who have been painting 
for many years.
  As a former Miami-Dade County School Board member, I always 
appreciate and support teachers who encourage our youth to explore 
their passions in life, and Mr. Reedy does just that. It is an honor to 
recognize Mr. Reedy for his great work at Zelda Glazer. I look forward 
to both his and his students' future successes.

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