[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 152 (Tuesday, September 1, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E806-E807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 2020 BURKE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 1, 2020

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Burke Volunteer 
Fire and Rescue Department on the occasion of its 72nd Annual 
Installation of Officers Banquet, and to thank its volunteers for 
filling an essential role in keeping our community safe.
  The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January 
1948, and for more than six decades it has provided lifesaving fire 
suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical and rescue services 
to the residents of Burke and the surrounding communities. It also 
provides, houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical 
equipment, provides opportunities for professional growth and 
development for the membership, and maintains and fosters a strong 
viable organization.
  As one of the county's most active volunteer fire and rescue 
departments, the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department works in 
cooperation with the Fairfax County Fire and

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Rescue Department to serve the community. I am honored to recognize the 
dedicated men and women of the Burke Volunteer Fire Department who have 
volunteered for extra duty as Officers or as members of the Board of 
Directors and include in the Record their names:
  Board of Directors: President--Ian Dickinson; Vice President--John 
Powers; Secretary--Kaitlin Lohrmann; Treasurer--Susan Weeks; Board 
Member--Kathleen Beer; Board Member--Larry Bocknek; Board Member--
Kenneth Senn.
  Officers: Chief--Thomas Warnock; Deputy Chief--Tina Godfrey; Deputy 
Chief--John Hudak; Captain II--Melissa Ashby; Captain II--Larry 
Bocknek; Captain II--Keith O'Connor; Lieutenant--Kevin Grottle; 
Sergeant--Peter Hamilton; Sergeant--Caitlin Curran; Chaplain--Harry 
Chelpon.
  In addition to the men and women who have generously assumed the 
responsibilities of serving as an Officer or a member of the Board of 
Directors, the Burke Volunteer Fire Department is also presenting 
awards to the following individuals in recognition of their exemplary 
service during the last year: Rookie of the Year--Tricia Counihan; 
Rookie of the Year--Christopher Hauge; Rookie of the Year--Caroline 
Hennings; Rookie of the Year--Mark Heyungs; Operational Member of the 
Year--Paul Stracke; Operational Member of the Year--Kevin Grottle; 
Career Member of the Year--Carlos Carrillo; (Fairfax County Fire & 
Rescue Dept.); Administrative Member of the Year--Nancy Stone; Chiefs 
Award--Justin Parrack (Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Dept.); President's 
Award--Susan Weeks; Founder's Award--Chuck Fry.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
department for 72 years of service and in thanking all of the brave 
volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when the community 
calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who put themselves 
in harm's way to protect our residents I say: ``Stay safe.''

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