[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 10472-10473]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DAVID GIORDANO

 Mr. BOOKER. Madam President, today I recognize David Giordano, 
the former director of the Newark Fire Department. A driving force for 
good in the City of Newark, Dave's exceptional career as firefighter, 
fire director, and trusted advisor created the foundation for the long-
term strength of the department, setting it on the path to a 
sustainable future, and improving safety for the city's residents.
  A native of North Newark, Dave grew up near Sacred Heart Basilica and 
is a product of the Newark Public School system. As Newark invested in 
him, so, too, did he invest in Newark--first as a small business owner 
in 1979, and then, in 1985, as a firefighter. Committed to

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serving as a strong voice for his colleagues, Dave became active in the 
Newark Firefighter's Union, serving as treasurer and vice president, 
and ultimately union president.
  When I became mayor of Newark in 2006, I knew Dave's knowledge and 
experience would be an asset to my team. Indeed, he worked hard to 
obtain new equipment, shorten response times, and streamline the 
delivery of service to make our fire department more effective. In an 
emergency, every second counts; Dave's commitment to excellence surely 
saved lives.
  Dave retires from the City of Newark on June 30, 2014, after 29 years 
of dedicated service to the city. These years have been marked by 
exemplary dedication to the best interests of the community and his 
fellow firefighters.
  It is an honor to formally recognize the contributions that David 
Giordano has made to the citizens of Newark throughout his career, to 
thank him for his tremendous service, and to wish him happiness in a 
well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________