HONORING ROBERT O'CONNOR Speaker: Congressman Mike Thompson Publication: Congressional Record Date: 29 September 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Robert O'Connor, a recruit with the Vallejo Fire Department. I have 
named Mr. O'Connor as a Public Safety Hero of the Year for Solano 
County in California's 5th District as a result of his extraordinary 
selflessness, dedication, and service to others.
  Mr. O'Connor was born in Fremont, California. In 2015, he became a 
paramedic and in June 2022, began his training with the Vallejo Fire 
Academy. Mr. O'Connor is currently enrolled in their 20-week 
Firefighter I program. He resides in Tracy, California with his wife 
Adrienne and daughter Delaney.
  On July 1, 2022, Mr. O'Connor was driving to the recruit academy when 
he observed a major traffic accident on the Byron Highway in Tracy, 
California. There, two vehicles had recently collided with each other, 
with one forcing the other to roll off the side of the road. Although 
he had not yet finished his program at the academy, Mr. O'Connor drew 
upon his training and took immediate action. He pulled over and 
assessed the injuries of those involved, relaying a full update of the 
incident to dispatch. After apprising them of the situation, Mr. 
O'Connor placed himself at risk by climbing into one of the badly 
damaged vehicles to provide life-saving care to two individuals. Even 
though the crash was miles from the area covered by the Vallejo Fire 
Department, Mr. O'Connor remained on scene to assist in medical care 
even as South San Joaquin Fire Authority resources arrived.
  Madam Speaker, we thank Mr. O'Connor for his bravery, quick action 
and remarkable focus during an incredibly stressful situation. 
Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.