PRINTER'S NO. 3509
No. 628 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY WHEATLEY, BALDWIN, BELARDI, BISHOP, BOYD, BUXTON,
CALTAGIRONE, CORRIGAN, COSTA, DALEY, DeLUCA, DONATUCCI,
FAIRCHILD, FORCIER, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHAI,
HARPER, HORSEY, JAMES, LaGROTTA, LAUGHLIN, LEACH, LEDERER,
LESCOVITZ, LEVDANSKY, MANDERINO, MARKOSEK, McCALL, McGEEHAN,
MUNDY, OLIVER, PALLONE, PETRARCA, PISTELLA, READSHAW, ROSS,
RUBLEY, SANTONI, B. SMITH, TANGRETTI, TIGUE, TRAVAGLIO,
WANSACZ, WATERS, YOUNGBLOOD, McILHATTAN, S. H. SMITH, COY,
FRANKEL, CRUZ, GEIST, THOMAS, PRESTON, SHANER AND HERMAN,
MARCH 23, 2004
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 23, 2004
A RESOLUTION
1 Expressing condolences on the passing of Pittsburgh Battalion
2 Chief Charles G. Brace and Master Firefighter Richard A.
3 Stefanakis who lost their lives in fighting a fire at the
4 Ebenezer Baptist Church in Pittsburgh's Hill District,
5 commending the heroism and valor of the men and women who
6 fought the Ebenezer Baptist Church fire and recognizing the
7 members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
8 WHEREAS, On the morning of March 13, 2004, a fire ravaged the
9 Ebenezer Baptist Church in Pittsburgh's Hill District; and
10 WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Battalion Chief Charles G. Brace of
11 Brookline and Master Firefighter Richard A. Stefanakis of
12 Pittsburgh's Allentown neighborhood made the ultimate sacrifice
13 when they gave their lives in fighting the fire; and
14 WHEREAS, Chief Brace, born June 29, 1948, served with the
15 Pittsburgh Fire Bureau since May 1973, when he was assigned to a
16 station in Manchester; and
1 WHEREAS, Chief Brace served as battalion chief, 4th District,
2 since March 1997 and was a safety officer; and
3 WHEREAS, Survivors of Chief Brace include his wife Jamie and
4 sons Charles and Daniel; and
5 WHEREAS, Master Firefighter Stefanakis, born November 25,
6 1952, served with the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau since November
7 1974; and
8 WHEREAS, Master Firefighter Stefanakis was stationed with
9 Engine Co. 3 since 1992; and
10 WHEREAS, Survivors of Master Firefighter Stefanakis include
11 his wife Stephanie, daughter Crystal and son Chad; and
12 WHEREAS, A funeral Mass for the two fallen firefighters at
13 St. Paul Cathedral was followed by a wake at Soldiers and
14 Sailors Memorial Hall; and
15 WHEREAS, Also injured in the blaze and steeple collapse at
16 Ebenezer Baptist Church were 31 firefighters and one city
17 general services worker; and
18 WHEREAS, The Ebenezer Baptist Church was a historical
19 landmark built in 1873 at Wylie Avenue and Devilliers Street;
20 and
21 WHEREAS, The Ebenezer Baptist Church has deep roots as the
22 oldest black Baptist church in Pittsburgh; and
23 WHEREAS, The church has about 2,500 members, many active in
24 community affairs, and has been the site for a ministry class,
25 Head Start activities and scouting and recovery meetings;
26 therefore be it
27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives pay respect to
28 the distinguished firefighting service of Pittsburgh Battalion
29 Chief Charles G. Brace and Master Firefighter Richard A.
30 Stefanakis who died on March 13, 2004, and express heartfelt
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1 condolences to the families of these brave men; and be it
2 further
3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the
4 heroism and valor of the men and women who fought the Ebenezer
5 Baptist Church fire; and be it further
6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
7 members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church for their show of
8 solidarity and support for one another and the community before
9 and following the fire that devastated their church.
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