[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16318]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING NEW YORK CITY'S COURT OFFICERS

 Mrs. CLINTON. Madam President, as we approached the 1-year 
anniversary of 9/11, I rise today to again honor all of the public 
safety officers whose courageous and heroic acts saved thousands of 
lives at the World Trade Center. In particular, I want to highlight a 
group of public safety officers who deserve to be honored for their 
heroism. The New York City court officers risked their lives and 
contributed immensely to the rescue and recovery operations at Ground 
Zero.
  I especially would like to honor three court officers who gave the 
ultimate sacrifice--their lives. Their heroic deeds have earned them 
the nomination for the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor--a 
testament to true American heroes.
  I would like to say a little bit on each officer.
  Captain William ``Harry'' Thompson, of the Bronx, was widely 
respected and beloved by all 1,600 court officers in New York City as 
senior instructor at the New York State Court Officers Academy. A 27-
year veteran, he was the father of two adult sons and was the sole 
supporter for his widowed mother. All who knew Captain Thompson 
considered him a ``spit and polish'' type of officer. Captain Thompson 
was proud of his profession and New York is so very lucky that he 
devoted his life to public service.
  Senior Court Officer Thomas Jurgens was part of a family who believed 
in giving back to one's city and country. Senior Court Officer Jurgens 
was the son of a firefighter, and was a volunteer fireman from 
Lawrence, Long Island. He made all of us proud by serving his country 
in the Persian Gulf war as an Army combat paramedic. Senior Court 
Officer Jurgens was a 4-year veteran at the Manhattan Supreme Court, 
and he was married in June 2001.
  Senior Court Officer Mitchel Wallace, of Mineloa, Long Island, worked 
at the Manhattan Supreme Court for 2 years. Before September 11, the 
New York State Court of Appeals Chief Judge Judith Kaye honored him for 
resuscitating a man who had collapsed from cardiac arrest aboard a Long 
Island railroad train. Senior Court Officer Wallace planned to marry 
Noreen McDonough in October, and he called her ``Cinderella.''
  In addition to these brave heroes who were lost, 22 other court 
officers risked their lives to save others at the World Trade Center. 
These men and women have been honored for their bravery on September 
11. They are: Deputy Chief Joseph Baccellieri, Jr., Officer Tyree 
Bacon, Sgt. Frances Barry, Captain John Civelia, Sgt. Gerard Davis, 
Officer William Faulkner, Officer Gerard Grant, Officer Edwin Kennedy, 
Officer Elayne Kittel, Officer William Kuhrt, Officer Theodore 
Leoutsakos, Officer Craig Lovich, Sgt. Patricia Maiorino, Major 
Reginald V. Mebane, Sgt. Al Moscola, Sgt. Kathryn Negron, Officer 
Joseph Ranauro, Sgt. Albert Romanelli, Sgt. Richard Rosenfeld, Officer 
Andrew Scagnelli, Officer Mahindra Seobarrat, and Sgt. Andrew Wender.
  Hundreds of court officers volunteered to work on recovery efforts at 
Ground Zero. After working full shifts at the courthouse, these 
officers would then work a full shift at Ground Zero. They would return 
home, clean the dust and debris from their hands, and return to their 
jobs at the courthouse. Through valor, duty, and commitment, they did 
all that they could to assist in the rescue and recovery operations.
  On behalf of the American people, I express my thanks and 
appreciation for these public safety officers whose dedication and 
patriotism strengthen the resolve of our Nation. These officers went 
above and beyond the call of duty, sacrificing their lives in order to 
save others, not because it was their job, but because it was their 
sense of duty of pride. These officers represent the very best in 
America.

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