[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMEMBERING THE SECOND VICTIM OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ERIE COUNTY, 
  WALTER MONAHAN, A DECORATED VETERAN, FAMILY MAN, AND A FRIEND TO ALL

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 20, 2022

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the remarkable life of Walter Monahan, an exceptional man who was taken 
far too soon due to COVID-19. Walter was a decorated Vietnam military 
veteran, an active community leader and volunteer, and a devoted 
husband, father, and grandfather. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, March 
25, 2020, Walter became the second resident in Erie County to pass due 
to COVID-19. His wife, Valerie Monahan, and his family, wishes for the 
public to remember Walter for the extraordinary person he was, not just 
as a statistic in a public health emergency. Walter's unfortunate 
passing allows us to honor his legacy and the incredible work he did 
while reminding us all that we must continue to actively take a stand 
against COVID-19.
  Walter's lifelong commitment to serving his country is beyond 
commendable. He was a Petty Officer second class in the United States 
Navy. Walter's military career began when he served two tours on a 
destroyer during the Vietnam War. From there, the Navy truly became a 
part of Walter's blood. When his tours ended, Walter was transferred to 
the Pentagon to work for the Chief of Naval Operations. Walter also was 
a dedicated and active veteran. He marched with the Rochester Vietnam 
Veterans Chapter 20 marching unit and served on the board of directors.
  I had the honor of meeting Walter myself and presenting him with a 
Vietnam Lapel Pin in thanks for his remarkable service. Walter's 
immense dedication, sacrifice, and service does not go unrecognized. He 
exemplified what it means to truly be a patriot, dedicating himself to 
our American values and serving his country proudly.
  It was while he worked at the Pentagon that Walter met the love of 
his life, Valerie. The two soon got married and returned to Rochester, 
where Walter had grown up. Together, Walter and Valerie raised two 
lovely children, their daughter, Kelly and their son, Michael. After 
moving to Buffalo in 2007, Walter worked as a facilities director for 
People Inc's Senior Centers. He is remembered by his co-workers for his 
exceptional customer service, incredible family-oriented mindset, and 
his immense compassion. They reflect on Walter as being ``the kind of 
employee everyone would want on their team--skilled, caring, friendly, 
funny and enjoyable to know.''
  A pinnacle of his community, Walter additionally dedicated his time 
to being an active member of numerous organizations. He served as a 
Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph University Parish, a docent at the 
Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, a Meals-on-Wheels 
volunteer, and a school bus driver. Walter, a true family man at heart, 
also became a fixture at just about every event involving his 
grandchildren during his retirement. Walter nobly dedicated his life to 
service in all manners. He went above and beyond in working to make a 
better community for all, a true testament to his dedication to 
service.
  COVID-19 wrongfully claimed the remarkable life of Walter, taking his 
life all too soon. After noticing Walter was not getting enough oxygen, 
his wife of 50 years, Valerie, called 911 and Walter was admitted to 
Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Walter's family believed he would recover 
quickly, thinking he simply had pneumonia or bronchitis. Unfortunately, 
Valerie was never able to see her beloved husband conscious again. 
Hours after he arrived at the hospital, Walter was attached to a 
ventilator and put under a medically induced coma. The family was 
allowed just moments at his bedside before Walter's passing. Despite 
the persistence and dedication of the doctors, there was nothing more 
that could be done for Walter. Walter passed on March 25, 2020 at the 
age of 74 due to COVID-19, being the second Erie County resident to 
lose their life to the deadly disease.
  After Walter's tragic passing, Valerie dedicated herself to 
mobilizing people in the community to take a stand against COVID-19. 
Valerie's early and persistent calls for mask usage along with her 
active pursuit in spreading the truth about the virus was vital in 
keeping our community safe during such challenging times. The people 
are forever in debt to Valerie for her work in taking preventive 
measures against COVID-19 and advocating for others to do the same.
  Today, I wish to echo Valerie's calls for action and encourage the 
American people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. We now have the means to 
protect ourselves and our loved ones from this horrible disease. 
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way we can prevent another 
loss such as Walter. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
Walter and the extraordinary life of service he led and in choosing to 
actively stand against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. Walter was an 
incredible man who dedicated his life to serving his country and 
community nobly. His life was cut all too short due to this horrible 
and deadly virus. By getting the COVID-19 vaccination, each person is 
actively taking a step to ensure we do not lose any more American 
citizens to this illness. May we honor Walter's legacy and remarkable 
life by ensuring his death is not in vain; we must continue to protect 
our communities and country in the same fashion Walter did during his 
lifetime.

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