[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 2021 GRADUATES OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE 
               DEPARTMENT HIGH SCHOOL FIREFIGHTER PROGRAM

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2021

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2021 
graduating class of the Fairfax County High School Firefighter program. 
In 2016, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in partnership 
with Fairfax County Public Schools created its High School Firefighter 
Program to provide training to students who are considering a career as 
a firefighter.
  Students who participate in this program attend courses taught by 
qualified instructors at the Fairfax County Fire Academy. In fact, they 
receive the same training as new professional and volunteer 
firefighters. The course is grueling but upon successful completion, 
the students are eligible to receive six college credits. Should these 
students decide to apply to the Fairfax County Fire Academy, this 
program will make them competitive candidates and will have prepared 
them for recruit school.
  Fourteen seniors are graduating in the Class of 2021 of the High 
School Firefighter Program. It is my honor to include in the Record the 
names of the following graduates:
  Seth Ballard, William Beavers, Nicholas Carpio, Peyton Czikra, Moeed 
Ghazi, Matthew Hargrave, Mai Mohamed, Sarah Moummi, Michael Muldoon, 
Spencer Neyland, Robert Rupp, Joshua Scurlock, Isaac Spar, Jalen Wray.
  Madam Speaker, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is one 
of the best fire departments in the country and in the world. I commend 
the Department as well as the public school system for partnering in 
the creation of this program. I also applaud these young people for 
their desire to learn more about the Department and for their interest 
in protecting our community. Northern Virginia is fortunate to have 
such dedicated young citizens. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating these students on the successful completion of this 
program and in wishing them success in their future endeavors.

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