[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20551-20552]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF JAMES J. BRUNO FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE 
 KANKAKEE TOWNSHIP FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AND THE KANKAKEE CITY FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, on August 14, 2009, friends, family, 
and colleagues of James J. Bruno will gather to celebrate his 27\1/2\ 
years of service to the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District and 
the Kankakee City Fire Department. Today I join the chorus of praise 
for Jim's service.
  After the unfortunate death of his father of a heart attack, Jim took 
the opportunity to devote himself to saving lives by joining the 
Kankakee Township Fire Protection District. Just 6 years after becoming 
a firefighter, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant and was the first 
paramedic in the department. In 1988, Jim joined the Kankakee City Fire 
Department. In 1990, Jim received the Distinguished Service Award for 
his role in rescuing a heart-attack victim from her burning home. With 
the help of his partner, Steve Born, Jim entered a blazing home, 
located the woman, hoisted her on his shoulders, and carried her to 
safety. She made a full recovery. This was an obvious act of heroism. 
What is less obvious, but no less important, are the lives Jim saved 
through countless inspections he conducted of homes and businesses as 
well as the education programs he participated in that prevented fires. 
Prevention efforts like the ones Jim participated in have been highly 
effective. Since 1982, deaths due to fires in the home have decreased 
36 percent. Firefighters like Jim have made our communities much safer.
  Jim has been an active labor leader for over 20 years. He has 
performed many roles in the Kankakee Firefighters Union including 
Chaplain and Executive Board Secretary. He completed many labor 
trainings on how to participate in productive grievance and arbitration 
hearings. Jim has been an effective advocate for hard-working 
firefighters.
  Jim is also a compassionate father and husband. Jim is a proud 
supporter of his wife, Captain Stacey Ann Bruno, who will begin her 
second tour of duty in Iraq in September. He is a loving father of 
three teenage children.

[[Page 20552]]

  The 11th District and the community of Kankakee owe Jim Bruno a debt 
of gratitude. I am proud to represent him and all the wonderful 
firefighters around my district in Congress. I wish Jim the best of 
luck as he enters retirement.

                          ____________________