[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17582]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ZYGIMANTAS ZALYS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
outstanding public servant and dedicated father, Firefighter Zygimantas 
Zalys of Woodbridge, Virginia. Firefighter Zalys currently serves his 
community as a member of the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue 
Department. ``Z'', as he is known around the fire station, marked two 
years with the Manassas Department in April of 2009 and has three 
additional years of firefighting experience with the Occoquan 
Woodbridge Lorton Volunteer Fire Department.
  Firefighter Zalys immigrated to the United States from Lithuania and 
embraced the spirit of public service in his adopted country. In his 
role as a firefighter, he has shown a commitment to public welfare and 
a willingness to sacrifice his personal well-being for the safety of 
his neighbors and community. He bears this responsibility with a wife 
and 14-month-old son awaiting his return home from every shift.
  It came as a shock to the Zalys family when ``Z'' was recently 
diagnosed with advanced pancreatic and liver cancer. ``Z'', so 
accustomed to protecting others, found the fire department offering its 
unconditional support. Firefighters, emergency medical technicians and 
police officers have volunteered their time and energy to help the 
Zalys family. The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4466 
responded by organizing a softball tournament. The ``Z'' Tournament 
will raise funds for the Zayls family's medical bills and help to 
supplement their income during this time of need. The response from the 
region's public safety departments has been a lesson in community.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join the public safety 
community in this remarkable show of solidarity. Firefighter Zalys and 
his family are not alone in their fight against this devastating 
disease. Men and women dedicated to the selfless protection of others 
stand together in the face of adversity, bonded by sacrifice and a 
sense of duty.

                          ____________________