[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16609]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING LIEUTENANT RUSSELL NEARY

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I wish to remember Lieutenant 
Russell Neary, a brave volunteer firefighter who was killed in the line 
of duty during Hurricane Sandy. He served the Town of Easton as 
President of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company and volunteer EMT and 
worked in Stamford as a vice president of General Reinsurance Company. 
He was deeply respected as a friendly and compassionate resident and 
beloved father and husband. I know his family well.
  When Sandy struck Connecticut the evening of October 29, Lieutenant 
Neary responded to a call without hesitation--one of the many evenings 
over the past 13 years when he put himself in harm's way to respond to 
a resident in need. Tragically, when clearing the road of a fallen 
branch, he was fatally injured. Lieutenant Neary was the first 
firefighter in Easton's history to die in the line of duty. His family 
has a history of public service, including his brother Fire Marshal 
Peter Neary.
  In the following days after this tragedy, members of neighboring fire 
departments and emergency responders volunteered their time to assist 
Easton Fire Company firefighters, allowing them to mourn the death of 
their colleague and friend--a demonstration of brotherhood and 
solidarity across Connecticut public safety personnel.
  Regarded as family by Chief James M. Girardi and fellow members of 
the Easton Volunteer Fire Company, Lieutenant Neary was tearfully 
mourned and remembered for days after his tragic death as ``a powerful 
force of good will and compassion to all who met him.'' He was recalled 
by many as a sincere member of the community who genuinely cared for 
and enjoyed helping others. I joined more than 1,000 people--gathered 
from around Connecticut, the Nation, and even Canada to pay tribute to 
this remarkable public servant. His legacy will live on through this 
spirit of giving that has touched and inspired so many.
  I am honored to salute Lieutenant Neary and invite my Senate 
colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of this gracious first 
responder, friend, and family member, who lost his life while keeping 
others safe from harm.

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