[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 84 (Thursday, May 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E468-E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF BRANDON BYLO, CORNELIUS RODGERS, AND 
                               ANONYMOUS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2023

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor three exceptional 
residents of Connecticut's Second Congressional District: Brandon Bylo 
of Groton, off duty Police Lieutenant Cornelius Rodgers of the New 
London police department, and a third, an anonymous Good Samaritan. 
Each of these individuals acted swiftly and decisively to save the 
lives of two strangers in dire distress.
  On the morning of April 21, 2023, a horrific collision occurred when 
an oil tanker collided with a stranded car, causing both to be engulfed 
in flames on the southbound lane of the State of Connecticut's largest 
bridge, the Gold Star Memorial Bridge. This bridge, which was built in 
the 1940's spans the Thames River between the City of New London and 
the City of Groton and accommodates thousands of trucks and cars every 
day. In the moments following the collision, three commuters traveling 
from behind the impacted vehicles, Mr. Brandon Bylo, Lt. Cornelius 
Rodgers, and the anonymous individual saw an inferno unfolding before 
their eyes and instinctually sprang into action. They sprinted over to 
the collapsed car, supported one passenger fleeing the scene before 
dragging and carrying the driver out from their seat--all as the flames 
from the

[[Page E469]]

tanker careened toward the car. Moments after the extraction, the car 
in question was overtaken by the flames of the crash.
  This was a shocking incident in the region that received national 
news coverage. The selfless behavior displayed by these three 
individuals reduced the sense of tragedy Connecticut residents continue 
to feel. These three constituents truly embody the spirit of heroism, 
risking life and limb in perilous circumstances to save another life 
without hesitation. It was Mr. Bylo's unwavering conviction to live out 
his life as ``your brother's keeper'' which prompted his actions that 
fateful day. Lt. Rodgers similarly went above and beyond, rushing into 
action despite being off-duty at the time of the collision. Each had 
their own reasons to put themselves first that day--Mr. Bylo was on an 
errand with his two-year-old daughter--and yet, clearly, their 
unyielding sense of compassion and duty took over.
  Mr. Speaker, we must also observe the tragic loss of Mr. Wallace 
``Wally'' Fauquet III, the oil tanker driver, who lost his life in the 
crash. He leaves behind a loving family and many friends and coworkers 
who viewed him as a hardworking, friendly person who was diligently 
doing his job on the day of this tragic conflagration. We mourn the 
void that is left in his wake. We also find solace through the selfless 
actions of those in the eastern Connecticut community. These three 
individuals, who have sought no praise in their lifesaving response, 
are a continuing example of the good-natured people that uplift the 
Second District of Connecticut. They were honored by the New London 
Police Department on May 8 at a well-attended community event at the 
New London Garde Theater, and it is most appropriate that we extend 
this recognition. To that end, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Brandon Bylo, Lt. Cornelius Rodgers, and their Good Samaritan 
cohort, committing their deeds into our national memory.

                          ____________________