[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22586-22587]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      IN MEMORY OF EDWARD GERAGHTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2001

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Deputy 
Chief Edward Geraghty of Rockville Centre, NY. On Tuesday, September 
11, 2001, Deputy Chief Geraghty and many of his fellow firefighters 
lost their lives while trying to save victims of the World Trade Center 
terrorist bombing. Ed and his men from Battalion 9 quickly responded to 
the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, and they rushed 
into the bombed buildings to help those trapped inside.
  An unknown number of people were saved by firefighters like Ed, who 
received the posthumous promotion from battalion chief to deputy chief, 
retroactive to September 10.
  More than a thousand mourners gathered at St. Agnes Cathedral to 
honor Ed on Thursday, October 25. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and 
his three sons, Connor, 14, James, 11, and Colin, 4. Ed also leaves 
behind his father, Jim, a retired FDNY captain, his mother, Norma, his 
sisters, Lynn, Janet, and Maureen, and his brothers, Steve and Timmy, 
both New York City firefighters.
  I first met Ed's wife when she was a little girl. Mary grew up across 
the street from my husband Dennis and I, and as she got older, she 
began to babysit for our son, Kevin. She deserved the best, and that is 
exactly what she got when she met Ed. He was a true family man who 
coached his sons' soccer and baseball teams. Nothing came before his 
family. He also made countless contributions to the community of 
Rockville Centre, like starting an infamous running club. On Christmas, 
Ed's favorite holiday, he volunteered for the Adopt-A-Family program, 
which distributed gifts to less fortunate children.
  Ed joined the New York City Fire Department in November 1978, and he 
served as a volunteer in both Elmont and Baldwin. Fire safety skills 
and procedures were important to Ed. He received his masters degree in 
fire science from John Jay College, and he designed a national safety 
program called Back to the Basics.
  Ed's oldest son Connor eulogized his father with the following, ``One 
goal that I am setting for myself is to follow in your footsteps to be 
such a great man to my family, my community and the nation just like 
you.'' I believe Connor exemplified his father's heroism and courage

[[Page 22587]]

by circulating a petition to establish a National Firefighters Day on 
September 11 in honor of his father and all other firefighters.
  Today, I honor Ed Geraghty's memory. I know firefighters like Ed are 
heroes every day of their lives, and they leave a lasting impression 
all those who cross their paths. Ed's conviction and drive to help 
those in need is a testament to his family, friends, and coworkers. I 
know Mary, and I have seen the difference he has made in her life. I 
know the lessons he taught his sons will live on.
  Thank you Connor, for making a difference.

                          ____________________