Washington, D.C.--Madame Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of a fallen hero from my district. On October 2, Patrick Joyce Jr., and his fellow firefighters responded to a call of a burning building on Waverly Avenue in Yonkers. He was searching the burning building when an explosion of flame hurtled him and two other firefighters out a third-story window. The other two survived with serious injuries, but sadly, Patrick, married and the father of two little girls, did not.

Patrick and his wife, Tara, met as teenagers in my neighborhood of Riverdale the year before I first came to Congress. They married and have two daughters, Charlotte and Isabella. The family was planning a visit to an apple orchard this weekend; instead they attended his funeral.

I also attended Patrick Joyce’s Funeral Mass in Riverdale. He was beloved not only by his family, but by his fellow firefighters and his community. The loss of any life is one to be mourned, but the loss of a life such as Patrick’s is doubly devastating. The nation truly honors people like Patrick, who are willing to risk their lives to save others.

Little Charlotte said of her father, “This wasn't supposed to happen. Daddy fixed everything. He made everything better.” He is gone at age 39. His family already misses him terribly, as we all do.

There is a man in custody accused of starting this fire. The justice system will move forward and he will have his day in court. Sadly, there will be more fires started across this great nation, and too many other Patrick Joyce Jrs will be lost to their families and their communities.

It has become almost a cliché to praise our firefighters since the heroism and sacrifice shown on 9-11, but for me, there will never be enough. Patrick Joyce Jr. was taken from us far too early. On behalf of his wife, Tara, his children, Charlotte and Isabella, his friends and family, and the people of Yonkers, I would like to state for the record, in the words of Charlotte, that this was not supposed to happen, you did make everything better. Patrick, you will be sorely missed by everyone you touched in life and those of us who are saddened by your death.