Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Administration

Mr. Speaker.

On Father’s Day, three brave firefighters died when a massive explosion suddenly ripped through a Queens hardware store, burying them under an avalanche of rubble.

John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford lost their lives when what seemed like a routine fire turned into a five-alarm blaze. The devastation marked the deadliest day for the New York Fire Department since three firefighters were killed in a pre-Christmas 1998 high-rise blaze in Canarsie, Brooklyn.

The names of Downing, Fahey and Ford will one day be added to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Wall in Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In front of the memorial wall is a statue called, "Somewhere-Everyday." Some where every day fire fighters are engaged in acts of heroism and saving lives - as these fire fighters were doing on Father’s Day. The "Somewhere-Everyday" statue depicts a firefighter descending a ladder and taking the last step of a successful rescue while clutching a child safely within his arms. The rubble from the fire forms the base of the tribute.

In the rubble of the Long Island General Supply Company building, are the shattered lives of three wives, eight children, and other family, friends, and colleagues. The Memorial is dedicated to them and all that they have lost.

I hope that they find comfort in knowing that Downing, Fahey, and Ford died doing what they loved and fulfilling their promise to keep their communities safe and the lives and homes of the people they served secure.