[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 6, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H1379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
                         HONORING RAYNA LATIMER

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a trailblazing first 
responder from Roselle, New Jersey. On December 19 of last year, Rayna 
Latimer was sworn in as the first-ever woman firefighter in Roselle, 
New Jersey's history.
  She has been called a hero, not just because she is a firefighter, 
but also because she is paving a path for young girls who might one day 
become firefighters in their own communities.
  Rayna has lived most of her life in Roselle, and she has spent the 
past 5 years preparing to become a firefighter. That is because helping 
people has always been her passion, Rayna had told a local newspaper a 
while ago.
  Before setting her sights on the fire department, Rayna was a 
corrections officer. That gave her a greater appreciation for first 
responders.
  She didn't set out to become the first female firefighter in Roselle. 
Rayna just wanted to align her passions and her strengths.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Rayna 
Latimer for her service to Roselle, New Jersey, and for inspiring young 
people throughout her community.

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