IN RECOGNITION OF MATT BURNETT, MONSIGNOR WILLIAM FARREL DIVISION OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS' MAN OF THE YEAR; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 44
(Extensions of Remarks - March 05, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF MATT BURNETT, MONSIGNOR WILLIAM FARREL DIVISION OF
THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS' MAN OF THE YEAR
_____
HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Matt Burnett who
will be named the Man of the Year by the Monsignor William Farrell
Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Matt will be honored at
their annual gathering on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
Matt is the son of Francis P. Burnett and Zita Lavelle Burnett. He is
a member of Saint Rose Parish where he volunteers his time with the
Altar and Rose Society. For the past several years, Matt has bravely
battled Huntington's chorea, a rare, debilitating condition that
affects the nerve cells in the brain causing a deterioration of motor
skills, cognitive abilities, and speech. His grandfather and mother
also suffered from this inherited disease. Despite his diagnosis, he
has worked tirelessly to remain positive and active in his local
community.
Enthusiastic about volunteer firefighting, Matt was often found at
the fire headquarters on Main Street in Carbondale. In addition to
responding to calls, he spent long hours at the scene of a fire
cleaning and packing gear to be prepared for the next call. He was
always willing to lend a hand to any volunteer company that needed
additional assistance.
In 2006, prior to the onset of his illness, Matt and two fellow
firefighters were honored for bravely entering a burning building to
quell a fire which quickly turned into a heroic rescue mission. Their
vision clouded with smoke, the three men advanced across the room, but
the floor felt hot and spongy, threatening to give away at any moment.
In their efforts to retreat, one of the firefighters fill to the
basement as the floor between him and the exit collapsed. Alerted by
their endangered partner tugging on the fire hose, Matt and his other
partner went back into the building to pull him to safety.
Matt does not let his illness stop him from pursuing his passions,
including volunteer firefighting. When a fire broke out earlier this
year, Matt, undeterred by his physical limitations, responded in full
gear, doing everything he could to assist his fellow volunteers.
It is an honor to join with the Monsignor William Farrell Division of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians to recognize Matt Burnett as Man of the
Year. Throughout his life, he has embodied the virtues of friendship,
unity, and Christian charity and has been selflessly dedicated to
others through the volunteer fire service. I wish him all the best on
this St. Patrick's Day.
____________________