Mr. Speaker,

I would like to commend my fellow colleague and gentleman from New York, Mr Grucci for his heartfelt and continued dedication to all of our nation's firefighters and the work he has done to bring this resolution before the House today.

Each year, thousands of men and women risk their lives to defend the citizens and properties of all of America's communities. However, on Sunday June 17th, Father's Day, three of New York's bravest and boldest fathers and citizens died in the line of duty. Brian Fahey and Harry Ford from Rescue Company Four, and John Downing from Ladder Company 163 were not only firefighters and fathers, they were prime examples of the best men our great New York communities have to offer.

Brian Fahey was a fourteen year veteran, a commemorated and skilled instructor, who left behind a wife and three children. John Downing had two children and was planning a trip home to ireland, with his wife, when this disaster occurred. Harry Ford, who was a husband and father of three was cited nine different times for outstanding acts of bravery.

All three were Irish Americans whose lives will not be forgotten anytime soon by their families or communities.

We are here today to honor their lives, give thanks for their service, promote the virtue of their profound and unending sacrifices and most importantly console their families for their lives will certainly be changed forever. At the same time we should be taking advantage of this opportunity to again pledge our support for all of the brave men who go to work each day, risking their lives, protecting both the lives and property of our citizens.

It is unfortunate that it takes a tragic event such as this to initiate a dialogue of the profound sentiment we all feel about our brave firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and all the other men and women whose jobs ask them to risk their lives for the sake of others. Every town, community, and nation is founded on the sacrifices of those men willing to risk their lives for the betterment of others.