[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 20015]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN JAY JAHNKE OF THE HOUSTON FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this morning I wear the purple 
and black to honor the fallen firefighter in my community who died this 
past weekend. This morning we will funeralize in Houston, Texas, 
Captain Jay Jahnke, a soldier on the battlefield saving lives every 
day, a member of a fire dynasty, family members who have been part of 
the Houston firefighting community for many, many years.
  I pay tribute to the life of Captain Jay Jahnke, who died on 
Saturday, October 13, 2001, after trying to rescue residents from a 
burning high-rise in the City of Houston. Captain Jahnke was a 20-year 
veteran of the Houston Fire Department. Captain Jahnke represents 
another perfect example of the brave fire and rescue professionals who 
put their lives on the line each day in order to protect the public. 
Every day these professionals take calculated risks that could cost 
them their lives.
  Captain Jahnke never wanted to pursue any other profession besides 
serving the public as a firefighter. He developed his love for the 
firefighting profession by watching his father, who also served the 
public as a district fire chief in Houston, and many, many other 
relatives.
  September 11, 2001, raised the consciousness of America of how 
important these brave souls are. A firefighter's prayer always is to do 
the very best that he or she can do. Many of Captain Jahnke's 
colleagues in the Houston Fire Department knew him as a well-trained 
firefighter, Mr. Speaker, with special training in high water rescue 
and hazardous materials.
  He is a great leader, a great hero, a great Houstonian and Texan, but 
most of all, he is a great American. God bless him and his family.

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