[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 120 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1165-E1166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JAMES O'NEILL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2016

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a Bronx 
community leader, icon, and hero, Mr. James O'Neill, who passed away 
suddenly on July 17, 2016 at the age of 59.
  James, or Jimmy as he was known, lived a life that was dedicated 
fully to service. He was born and raised in the Bronx and attended 
Visitation School as well as Cardinal Hayes High School where he 
graduated. Jimmy then joined the New York Police Department in November 
of 1979 where he rose to the rank of Sergeant Supervisor as a member of 
Mayor Rudy Giuliani's personal protective detail before retiring in 
2000.
  But retirement did not slow Jimmy down. After the devastation of 9/11 
he sought to

[[Page E1166]]

bring personal remembrance to his adopted home in Carmel, NY. Jimmy and 
his band of brothers in Carmel erected a memorial to the members of 
Putnam County who lost their lives that day. Each year since, he has 
coordinated the memorial remembrance faithfully attended each year by 
so many. He renamed the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 704 to the 
Stephen P. Driscoll Memorial Lodge. And although Jimmy left the Bronx, 
his heart never did. He was a founding member of the New York Shields, 
an organization that coined the motto, ``Cops for Cops.'' Every year at 
the Marina del Ray in The Bronx a service was held to remember those 
who gave their lives in service to the community. He was passionate 
that their names would be remembered and their memories protected and 
respected.
  Of course for all of his accomplishments, Jimmy's greatest legacy is 
his family. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his son, James Jr., two 
brothers, four sisters, and seven nieces and nephews.
  Jimmy O'Neill was an icon in every community he was ever involved 
with. His empathy, compassion, and selflessness will forever stand as a 
shining example of what it means to be a member of one's community. I 
want to offer my deepest condolences to his entire family, and say that 
although we have lost a great man, his memory and the incredible work 
he did in life will surely stand the test of time and live forever.

                          ____________________