[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21589]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO RAY PFEIFER

  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I want to speak for a moment about a 
great man and a wonderful friend of mine. His name is Ray Pfeifer, and 
he is an incredible leader and an inspiration to many, myself included.
  Ray was a New York City firefighter for 27 years and 220 days, by his 
count. He called it the best job in the world, and he said he was proud 
to put on the uniform. But Ray had to retire last September--years 
before he wanted to--because he has cancer. His cancer has spread 
throughout his body--to his ribs, his leg, and now to his brain.
  We know that cancer can strike randomly, sometimes with nothing to 
blame, but there is nothing random about Ray Pfeifer's cancer. Ray now 
has cancer because he was a first responder at Ground Zero, because he 
was one of thousands who rushed to help after we were attacked on 9/11. 
He served in Engine 40, Ladder 35, in the 9th Battalion, and most of 
the members of his battalion were killed on 9/11. Ray spent months on 
the pile searching for his friends. He wouldn't leave. He spent months 
digging for bodies in the rubble. He spent months there, breathing in 
horrible, toxic air that hung over Ground Zero like a deadly mist.
  Many Members of the Senate would actually recognize Ray because he 
has been down here so many times--dozens of times--working the Halls of 
Congress, asking Senators to do the right thing and support the 9/11 
bill. He was a strong, smiling man in uniform, traveling in his 
wheelchair from office to office, with contagious optimism and 
unmatched grace. Ray Pfeifer has never wavered. He has never been 
deterred. He has never even given up his efforts to pass the 9/11 
health program. But you must know, Ray was never doing this for 
himself; he was doing it so other first responders didn't have to.
  Ray wanted to be here today to see this bill passed because he had 
worked so long and so hard, but last week Ray had to go back to the 
hospital because his cancer had spread to his brain. Ray is physically 
in New York right now, but Ray's indomitable spirit is with us in the 
Capitol. His strength is with us. His unmistakable grace is with us.
  Ray, I know you are listening. We never ever could have gotten this 
done without you. You did it. But I must tell you, Ray, this speech 
isn't for you; this speech is for your wife Caryn and your son Terrance 
and your daughter Taylor.
  Terrance was actually sworn in as a New York City firefighter earlier 
this year, just like his dad. This speech is for them because they 
shared you with all of us. This speech is for all the responders who 
fought for all these years so that our 9/11 heroes could have the 
health care for the rest of their lives.
  The city of New York and the United States of America owe Ray and his 
family a debt of gratitude that can never truly be paid. Ray is the 
embodiment of everything we strive to be as Americans: selfless, kind, 
brave, optimistic, someone who fights for what is right and never gives 
in.
  Ray, I know you are a fighter, and I know you will get through this. 
You have the prayers of more people than you know, and may God bless 
you and your family. I look forward to celebrating this hard-fought 
victory in person with you soon.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.

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