[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING JOHN R. NIEMIEC ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 29, 2018

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my friend John 
Niemiec, and to congratulate him on his retirement from the Fairfax 
County Fire and Rescue Department. A 32-year veteran of the Department, 
John retired in February 2018, having earned the rank of Captain II.
  A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, John is an avid fan of all 
Pittsburgh professional sports teams, but perhaps none more so than his 
beloved Steelers. In fact, John's entire recreation room in his home is 
a shrine-like tribute to the Black and Gold. He often travels back to 
Pittsburgh so that he can watch his favorite team play, perhaps with an 
icy Iron City in one hand and a Terrible Towel in the other.
  John relocated to Northern Virginia and joined the Fairfax County 
Fire and Rescue Department in 1986 after working for the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation in Washington, D.C. In addition to his service with 
the Department, John was also a dedicated member of the Fairfax County 
Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, Local 2068. He served for 17 
years on the local Executive Board, including 4 years as Vice-President 
and over 10 years as President. John also served his fellow 
firefighters as a Pension Trustee for 12 years. During this time, he 
was also a member of the Executive Board of the National Conference on 
Public Employee Retirement Systems.
  I was proud to partner with John to ensure that our public safety 
personnel and first responders received the highest level of support 
possible from our county government during my time as a Member and 
Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. One of the 
projects of which I am proudest is the creation of the Public Safety 
Occupational Health Center, which we dedicated at the Fairfax County 
Public Safety Headquarters last month. John was instrumental in this 
project and was pivotal in its successful completion.
  However, out of all the positions he has held, including Captain, 
President, and Trustee, the title that gives him the most joy is 
``Dad.'' As a single parent, John raised two wonderful daughters, and 
has taught them by example how to embrace the values of honesty, 
integrity, respect, and dedication to serving others. John truly 
represents these values, many of which are shared by his professional 
colleagues and make our Fairfax County first responders the standard 
against which all others are judged.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking my friend 
John Niemiec for his dedication and service to our community and in 
congratulating him on his retirement. While he may be retiring from the 
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, he will continue to advocate 
on behalf of firefighters and paramedics in his new role of State 
Policy and Legislative Representative for the International Association 
of Firefighters. I am sure that he will bring the same passion and 
determination to this new position that he has brought to all of his 
previous endeavors. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to work 
with him throughout our shared career in public service, and I wish him 
all the best and continued success.

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