[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 202 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H6727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING FIRST RESPONDERS

  (Mr. RYAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank and honor the brave first 
responders who risked their lives to save Hudson Valley families after 
a catastrophic gas explosion in Wappingers Falls injured 15 in our 
community last month, several severely.
  Officer Devin Ludwig, Investigator Andrew Hettinger, and Firefighter 
John Marko Nuculovic ran back into extreme peril to carry out victims 
trapped inside the smoldering rubble.
  John himself refused medical attention for injuries sustained during 
the rescue until all others were out safely.
  Firefighter Raquan White pulled an injured victim from the scene, and 
with backup medical personnel still en route, took it upon himself to 
transport the victim to a nearby hospital for immediate care, saving 
their life.
  Officer Corchado, Wappingers Falls Fire Chief Enson, Detective 
Sergeant Farrell, Lieutenant Reverri, Deputies Kemlage and Aronow, and 
contractors from J. Mullen & Sons are among the countless other heroes 
who displayed exceptional courage that day.
  Our Hudson Valley community and those affected in particular owe you 
a deep debt of gratitude that we will never be able to truly repay.

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