[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6149]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE BURKE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT'S 67TH 
                             ANNUAL BANQUET

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 1, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the Burke Volunteer Fire 
and Rescue Department, which is hosting its 67th Annual Installation of 
Officers Banquet, and in thanking its volunteers for filling an 
essential role in keeping the community safe.
  The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January 
1948, and for more than 6 decades it has provided lifesaving fire 
suppression/prevention and emergency medical/rescue services to the 
residents of Burke, Fairfax County, and the surrounding communities. It 
also provides, houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical 
equipment; provides opportunities for professional growth and 
development for the membership; and maintains and fosters a strong 
viable organization.
  I am honored to recognize several of the dedicated men and women of 
the Burke Volunteer Fire Department who have volunteered for extra duty 
as officers or as members of the board of directors or who are 
receiving awards for their superlative service to the department and 
the community. It gives me great pleasure to submit the names of these 
individuals:
  Board of Directors:
  President Rich Guarrasi, Vice President John Powers, Treasurer 
Patrick Owens, Secretary Greg Fedor, Board Members-at-Large Larry 
Barnett, Larry Bocknek, and Alisha Sunde
  Line Officers:
  Chief Thomas Warnock, Deputy Chief John Hudak, Deputy Chief Tina 
Godfrey, Administrative Member Manager Catherine Owens, Captain II 
Melissa Ashby, Captain II Larry Bockneck, Captain II Keith O'Connor, 
Lieutenant Kevin Grottle, Sergeant Jennifer Babic, Sergeant Emily 
Fincher, Team Leader Peter Hamilton, Team Leader James Reyes, Team 
Leader Paul Stracke, Team Leader Harry Chelpon, Staffing Coordinator 
Shaun Kurry, Chaplain Harry Chelpon
  Length of Service Awards:
  5 Years: Richard Guarrasi
  10 Years: Harry Chelpon, Ed Gilhooly
  15 Years: Tina Godfrey
  Life Member: Harry Chelpon
  Department Awards:
  Founders Award: John Hudak
  Rookies of the Year: Caitlin Curran, Megan Bush, Barry Brown
  Firefighter of the Year: Peter Hamilton
  EMS Provider of the Year: James Reyes
  Officer of the Year: Tina Godfrey
  Admin. Member of the Year: Becky Dobbs
  Career Members of the Year: Tim Barb, David ``Happy'' Gilmore
  Team Award: BVFRD Train Team: Melissa Ashby, Kevin Grottle, Shaun 
Kurry
  Chief's Award: Shaun Kerry
  President's Awards: Nancy Stone, Charlene Murphy
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
department for 67 years of service and in thanking all of the brave 
volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when the community 
calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who put themselves 
in harm's way to protect our residents I say: ``Stay safe''.

                          ____________________