Durbin Pays Tribute to Fallen Chicago Firefighter, Daniel Capuano, On Senate Floor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to honor the service and sacrifice of Chicago Firefighter Daniel Capuano, who died early this morning in a warehouse fire on the South Side of Chicago.
“Daniel Capuano went to work this morning, just like he has done every day for the past fifteen years – ready to fight fires and save lives. Not many people can say they’ve woken up every day ready to sacrifice their life to protect their community. But this morning, Daniel Capuano did just that,” Durbin said. “Daniel’s death is a devastating loss and serves as a reminder of the risks that our firefighters and first responders take every day for the livelihood of others. My condolences and prayers are with Daniel’s wife – Julie; his three children – Nicholas, Andrew, and Amanda; and his fellow firefighters. Daniel, you’re a hero to me and to the people of Chicago and Illinois. There are no words to truly describe the sorrow for your loss.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s floor remarks is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition here and in standard definition here.
Durbin’s remarks as prepared for delivery are available below:
Remarks of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
Tribute to Chicago Firefighter Daniel Capuano
December 14, 2015
It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to speak about the loss of one of the bravest men in the Chicago Fire Department, Daniel Capuano.
Daniel Capuano went to work this morning, just like he has done every day for the past fifteen years – ready to fight fires and save lives.
Not many people can say they’ve woken up every day ready to sacrifice their life to protect their community.
But this morning, Daniel Capuano did just that.
At 2:40am today, Daniel Capuano and his fellow firefighters contacted about a warehouse fire on the 9200-block of South Baltimore Avenue on the South side of Chicago.
Daniel and the other firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene to respond to the situation.
The warehouse was undergoing construction and because of that, there were reports of holes in the floors of the building.
When they got there, they saw billowing smoke coming out of the vacant three-story warehouse.
Firefighter Capuano and his team moved cautiously through the second floor of the warehouse in search for the cause of the fire.
But the heavy, thick smoke made it nearly impossible to see – causing Capuano to fall through an elevator shaft from the second floor of the building to the basement.
His fellow firefighters were able to find him right way and get him on an ambulance to a nearby hospital.
But sadly, it was too late.
By the time he arrived he was already in serious condition.
And at 4:25am this morning, Daniel Capuano was pronounced dead from trauma.
It is times like these that we are reminded of just how dangerous the job that these men and women do every day really is.
Daniel Capuano spent his entire career putting the safety of his community before his own.
For fifteen years, he served the Chicago Fire Department combating and eliminating fires while pulling others to safety.
And before that, he served as a firefighter in Evergreen Park, a southwest suburb of Chicago.
Daniel is a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice to make the residents of his community and neighborhood safe.
Daniel’s death is a devastating loss and serves as a reminder of the risks that our firefighters and first responders take every day for the livelihood of others.
My condolences and prayers are with Daniel’s wife – Julie; his three children – Nicholas, Andrew, and Amanda; and his fellow firefighters.
Daniel, you are a hero to me and to the people of Illinois.
There are no words to truly describe the sorrow for your loss, and I cannot thank you enough for your commitment to our people.
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