[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 68 (Thursday, April 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JAMES ``JIMMY'' LANZA

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 20, 2017

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and 
service of James ``Jimmy'' Lanza. Jimmy passed on April 6 of this year, 
surrounded by his family, friends, and beloved brothers from the Fire 
Department of New York City, after a noble battle with brain cancer. An 
esteemed member of the Woodside community, Jimmy's life was 
characterized by a tireless dedication to others in keeping with the 
highest tradition of service to our country. Jimmy gave perennially of 
himself, serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, where he was 
a member of a crew of flying airborne early warning and control 
systems. After his tenure in the Navy, Jimmy went on to serve as a 
firefighter, devoting three decades to the FDNY with Engine 53, Ladder 
43, in East Harlem as part of ``El Barrio's Bravest.''
  During his time with the FDNY, Jimmy devoted countless hours to the 
search and recovery mission at the World Trade Center in the aftermath 
of September 11. After Hurricane Katrina, he traveled to New Orleans 
with his FDNY comrades to assist in their rescue, search, and recovery 
mission. As a volunteer with the Red Cross, he stood ever-ready to lend 
a hand to suffering communities in the aftermath of devastation. Jimmy 
also served on the executive board of the FDNY Fire Family Transport 
Foundation, an organization devoted to providing care and comfort to 
the families of firefighters during times of great need or bereavement. 
Jimmy was also deeply involved with charitable work on behalf of 
wounded veterans and their families. He made numerous trips to 
Washington, D.C. to visit veterans in military hospitals, and assisted 
in many sponsored events for vets and their families. A lifetime member 
of the American Legion, Jimmy served as the Commander of Post 1836, at 
the Boulevard Gardens in Woodside, Queens. In that role, he helped to 
educate the community on the profound sacrifices made by those who 
choose to serve our country in the armed forces.
  A lifelong Woodside resident, Jimmy devoted his time after retirement 
from the FDNY to improving his local community. He served as the 
President of the Boulevard Gardens Co-op Board for 15 years, the 
longest anyone had ever held the position. During his tenure, he worked 
to improve communication between the local precinct, the community 
board, and the Co-op board in order to assure that issues were dealt 
with in a timely manner. Jimmy was also instrumental in the fight to 
bring fair assessment to property values for co-ops across New York 
City. Over his tenure as President, the Boulevard Gardens community saw 
a marked increase in the quality of life and overall safety, as well as 
the financial standing of the co-op.
  Jimmy Lanza lived his entire life in service of others. His was the 
highest ideal of a life devoted to one's community and country, and 
should serve as an example for us all to aspire to. He was a truly 
great man, and also a dear friend of mine. He was a devoted family man, 
and is survived by his beloved sister Marian, his nephews Keith and 
Michael, niece Stephanie, grand-nieces Emily and Eva, grand-nephews 
Brandon and Andrew, countless friends, and all of the lives he touched 
over the years. Mr. Speaker, Jimmy's commitment to both community and 
country was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to all of us. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of James 
J. Lanza. May he rest in peace.

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