THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY D. O'BRIEN, BOYLE, McGEEHAN, ADOLPH, BAKER, BISHOP, BOBACK, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, D. COSTA, COX, CRUZ, DELOZIER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FARRY, FLECK, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GRUCELA, HARKINS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, LENTZ, MAJOR, MARKOSEK, MARSHALL, MATZIE, MICCARELLI, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MOUL, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PAYTON, PHILLIPS, QUINN, READSHAW, REED, REICHLEY, ROSS, SABATINA, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SHAPIRO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STERN, THOMAS, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATERS AND WHITE, APRIL 30, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 30, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Expressing condolences upon the death of Lawrence J. McDonald,

Captain of the Fire Department of the City of Philadelphia,

and extending gratitude for his many years of service to the

people of the City and County of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Lawrence J. McDonald, retired Captain of the

Philadelphia Fire Department, died suddenly on Wednesday, April

7, 2010, at 60 years of age; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his retirement, Captain McDonald served the

City of Philadelphia as a member of the Philadelphia Fire

Department for 31 years, beginning in 1973 and ending on July 1,

2004; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald was given 22 various assignments in

the Philadelphia Fire Department over his 31-year career; and

WHEREAS, Appointed to the Philadelphia Fire Department on

April 23, 1973, he was promoted to Lieutenant on August 2, 1982,

and ultimately ascended to the rank of Captain on November 2,

1987; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald was known for many displays of

heroism while in service to the city; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald risked his life in 1999 when he

rescued two adults and one child from a burning house in

Northeast Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Captain McDonald revived a three-month-old

child during a Christmas Eve fire; and

WHEREAS, A unit citation was issued to Captain McDonald on

January 7, 1987, for his acts of heroism in working with fellow

fire personnel to rescue more than 30 civilians trapped in a

high-rise building; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, Captain McDonald rescued a nurse and an

unconscious patient lying on the fifth floor ledge of Episcopal

Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald was a Marine Veteran of the Vietnam

War and a member of Firefighters Local 22, A.O.H. Division 39

and the Elks of North Wildwood; and

WHEREAS, A parishioner of Christ the King Roman Catholic

Church in Northeast Philadelphia, Captain McDonald raised his

family with a respect for church, community and family; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald was the proud parent of

Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald, who died in the

line of duty on September 23, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald died while training for the Tour de

Shore, which is a charity event designed to raise money for

charities, such as the Police Survivor's Fund, that benefits

families of fallen Philadelphia police officers; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald is survived by his wife, Patricia,

and his daughter, Megan; and

WHEREAS, Captain McDonald was preceded in death by his son,

Michael; and

WHEREAS, For his many years of public service, Captain

Lawrence J. McDonald has earned the gratitude of this

Commonwealth; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express

condolences upon the death of Lawrence J. McDonald, Captain of

the Fire Department of the City of Philadelphia, and extend

gratitude for his many years of service to the people of the

City of Philadelphia; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

Mrs. Patricia McDonald, 3608 Whitehall Lane, Philadelphia, PA

19114.