In Recognition of Henry Kuczinski, for Fifty Years of Fire Service

IN RECOGNITION OF HENRY KUCZINSKI, FOR FIFTY YEARS OF FIRE SERVICE -- (Extensions of Remarks - November 16, 2004)

Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of the 4th Congressional District to recognize Henry Kuczinski of New Hyde Park, New York.

I am extremely honored to congratulate Mr. Kuczinski as he celebrates fifty years of dedicated service to the New Hyde Park Fire Department. Such an achievement is testament to his impressive record of five decades of commitment to the department and the local community.

Henry began his service to the country as a young man in the U.S. Army, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1951. He continued to serve others by becoming a member of the New Hyde Park Fire Department in November 1954. Through the years he has gained the admiration and respect of the entire department by responding to emergency calls with the greatest diligence and speed. His most outstanding accomplishment came in 1967, when he performed an extremely difficult rescue during the collapse of a building's foundation, garnering both the praise of his colleagues and a formal department honor.

Henry let his actions speak for him and became a leader and a role model within the department. Because of his outstanding achievements in fire service and his exemplary record of service to the community, Henry has been named New Hyde Park's Fireman of the Year five times in the past fifty years. During Henry's tenure at the New Hyde Park Fire Department, he has held the offices of Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and Captain.

Today, Henry is a member of the Fire-Police unit and has earned the title of Honorary Department Chief. He also has been a leader on the Department's Memorial Committee since the very beginning of his career as a firefighter. No matter what capacity he has served in over the past fifty years, Henry has always performed with distinction and inspired others to achieve their full potential.

Mr. Kuczinski's tireless commitment to his job has made a difference in the lives of many. Once again, I would like to offer my congratulations to him on this well-deserved recognition and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.