[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 44 (Thursday, March 5, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF MATT BURNETT, MONSIGNOR WILLIAM FARREL DIVISION OF 
            THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS' MAN OF THE YEAR

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 2020

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Matt Burnett who 
will be named the Man of the Year by the Monsignor William Farrell 
Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Matt will be honored at 
their annual gathering on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
  Matt is the son of Francis P. Burnett and Zita Lavelle Burnett. He is 
a member of Saint Rose Parish where he volunteers his time with the 
Altar and Rose Society. For the past several years, Matt has bravely 
battled Huntington's chorea, a rare, debilitating condition that 
affects the nerve cells in the brain causing a deterioration of motor 
skills, cognitive abilities, and speech. His grandfather and mother 
also suffered from this inherited disease. Despite his diagnosis, he 
has worked tirelessly to remain positive and active in his local 
community.
  Enthusiastic about volunteer firefighting, Matt was often found at 
the fire headquarters on Main Street in Carbondale. In addition to 
responding to calls, he spent long hours at the scene of a fire 
cleaning and packing gear to be prepared for the next call. He was 
always willing to lend a hand to any volunteer company that needed 
additional assistance.
  In 2006, prior to the onset of his illness, Matt and two fellow 
firefighters were honored for bravely entering a burning building to 
quell a fire which quickly turned into a heroic rescue mission. Their 
vision clouded with smoke, the three men advanced across the room, but 
the floor felt hot and spongy, threatening to give away at any moment. 
In their efforts to retreat, one of the firefighters fill to the 
basement as the floor between him and the exit collapsed. Alerted by 
their endangered partner tugging on the fire hose, Matt and his other 
partner went back into the building to pull him to safety.
  Matt does not let his illness stop him from pursuing his passions, 
including volunteer firefighting. When a fire broke out earlier this 
year, Matt, undeterred by his physical limitations, responded in full 
gear, doing everything he could to assist his fellow volunteers.
  It is an honor to join with the Monsignor William Farrell Division of 
the Ancient Order of Hibernians to recognize Matt Burnett as Man of the 
Year. Throughout his life, he has embodied the virtues of friendship, 
unity, and Christian charity and has been selflessly dedicated to 
others through the volunteer fire service. I wish him all the best on 
this St. Patrick's Day.

                          ____________________