[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13853]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO JOHN G. CENTANNI

 Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize John 
Centanni, a firefighter, lifelong Newarker, and friend who is retiring 
from the Newark Fire Department after 30 years of dedicated service. A 
true public servant, John has guided the Department since 2010, 
providing steady leadership during a critical time.
  John G. Centanni was born to John and Pamela Centanni on July 25, 
1965, in Newark, NJ, where he was raised with his younger sisters, 
Marlene, Angela, and Cassandra, in the city's North Ward. In 1986, at 
the age of 20, John fulfilled a childhood dream when he became a Newark 
firefighter. Over the three decades that followed, John advanced 
through the ranks, serving as captain, batallion chief, deputy chief, 
chief of staff to the battalion director, and finally, fire chief.
  Assigned to Engine 6--one of our Nation's busiest--John quickly 
became known for his exceptional work ethic and commitment to safety. 
As a firefighter, he earned numerous commendations for courage, valor, 
and heroism, including two Individual Lifesaving Awards from the Newark 
Firefighters Union. In 1992, he was inducted into the Police and 
Firemen's Insurance Association Heroes Hall of Fame, in recognition of 
his lifesaving work.
  In 2010, John's substantial experience, impressive record of 
leadership and service, and great reputation among his fellow 
firefighters made it easy for me to select him as Newark's fire chief. 
During his tenure at the helm of New Jersey's largest municipal fire 
department, John was instrumental in securing Federal funding for 
equipment upgrades and maintaining crucial relationships and mutual aid 
agreements with sister fire departments. These accomplishments made 
Newark and our State safer, saving countless lives.
  John will retire from the city of Newark on October 21, 2016. His 
career of three decades, spent exclusively with the Newark Fire 
Department, has been marked by incredible heroism and service. It is a 
true honor to formally recognize Fire Chief John G. Centanni for the 
contributions that he has made to the citizens of Newark throughout his 
career, thank him for his tremendous service, and wish him happiness in 
a well-deserved retirement.

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