[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16803]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING 30-YEAR NORTHPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBER JAMES MAHONEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 13, 2002

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to praise Mr. 
James Mahoney, the recipient of the National Volunteer Fire Council's 
Scott Health and Safety Volunteer Firefighter of the Year Award for the 
Year 2002.
  In 1973, Mr. Mahoney joined the Northport Fire Department. In an 
illustrious career that spanned three decades, Mr. Mahoney has been the 
consummate firefighter. From the Northport Lumber Yard fire in the 
1970s to the fire at the Long Island Oyster Farm, Firefighter Mahoney 
valiantly responded to the emergency needs of his community during 
times of great danger and uncertainty.
  In addition, Mr. Mahoney has diligently worked to unite the Northport 
Fire Department with its surrounding neighborhood. His impressive 
accomplishments include serving as an elected captain of the rescue 
squad three times; chairman of the 100th anniversary committee; 
chairman of the fire prevention committee; coordinator of the baby-
sitter course, chairman of the annual Meet Your Friend the Firefighter 
event; and seven-year Safety News columnist for a local newspaper, The 
Observer.
  Mr. Mahoney has also been a valuable member of my own interview 
committee for military academy appointments. In addition, he has been 
president of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center 
Committee; President of the Northport Running Club; Commander of 
Northport American Legion Post 694; and co-chairman for the Day of 
Remembrance following the terrorist attacks of September 2001.
  Before his career as a firefighter, Mr. Mahoney answered the call of 
his country, serving in the Korean War for two years. In his 
professional life, Jim Mahoney worked as an educator for 34 years, 
teaching in various elementary schools on Long Island. In addition, he 
was Principal of the New Lane Elementary School in Seldon, NY.
  Jim is a life long resident of Northport, New York, where he resides 
with his wife Sophie, his four children and his four grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, 2002 has been and will continue to be a banner year for 
Mr. Mahoney and the Northport Fire Department. A month before he was 
chosen as the National Volunteer Fire Council's Scott Health and Safety 
Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Mr. Mahoney was presented with the 
Fire Service Achievement Award for the Year 2002 by the Fireman's 
Association of the State of New York.
  Wishing him all the best as he travels first to Buffalo, New York to 
receive his state service award and then on to Sitka, Alaska to be 
presented with his national honor, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
saluting Mr. James Mahoney.

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