[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3015]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO FALLEN CENTRAL NEW YORK FIREFIGHTERS JOHN E. GINOCCHETTI AND 
                            TIMOTHY J. LYNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 2002

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I have often risen and submitted comments 
recognizing the heroics of first responders across the country. Today I 
rise with a heavy heart to recognize two firefighters from my own 
congressional district who made the ultimate sacrifice just last week. 
On Thursday evening, March 7, during a three-alarm house fire in the 
town of Pompey, two central New York firefighters--John E. Ginocchetti 
and Timothy J. Lynch--were killed in the line of duty.
  While acting on what appeared to be a routine house fire, 
Firefighters Ginocchetti and Lynch, both responding in a mutual aid 
capacity on behalf of the Manlius Fire Department, proceeded to mount 
an aggressive interior attack after successfully ``venting'' the roof. 
As Ginocchetti and Lynch made their way into the kitchen and laundry 
room from the home's attached garage, the floor suddenly gave way, and 
the men were consumed in a horrific ``fireball,'' falling into the 
structure's basement where the blaze had started. Despite repeated 
rescue attempts by their colleagues, both men were lost.
  Firefighter John ``Gino'' Ginocchetti, age 41, was a paid 
professional with the Manlius Fire Department. Firefighter Timothy 
``T.J.'' Lynch, age 28, was a full-time firefighter with the 
Fayetteville Fire Department, a part-time paramedic with Rural/Metro 
Medical Services, as well as a volunteer responder with the Manlius and 
Kirkville Fire Departments. Each leave behind a wife and son.
  Both men held a longtime commitment to fire service, and since the 
tragedy, numerous stories of their previous acts of heroism and 
compassion have been recalled. Their tragic deaths remind us all how 
dangerous the fire fighting profession truly is.
  On behalf of a grateful community, I thank the Ginocchetti and Lynch 
families for their sacrifice. Our thoughts, prayers, and admiration are 
with them during this difficult time.

                          ____________________