by Jim Kouri - Peekskill, NY-– Kieran Lalor, the Republican candidate for Congress challenging Democrat John Hall in New York's 19th Congressional District, today announced an important endorsement from the FDNY's Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA).

In a letter of endorsement, UFOA President John J. McDonnell said, "It is with sincere pleasure that we endorse your candidacy for Representative of the 19th Congressional District." McDonnell continued, "While your resume speaks for itself, it is obvious that you are a friend of labor and will stand tall for the principles of the 'working man.'"

Said Lalor, "To be endorsed by the officers of the FDNY is a true honor because they represent the very best fire fighters in the world and they are a cornerstone of our homeland security. As a nation we must simultaneously work to prevent an attack while also preparing to deal effectively with a terror strike or natural disaster. The FDNY is absolutely vital to our preparedness"

Lalor, who worked closely with first responders from around the country including the FDNY when he drove to the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina and performed search and rescue missions in flood ravaged New Orleans said, "People who are willing to put their lives on the line everyday for strangers ought to have a tenacious advocate in Washington and I will be that advocate."

"Moreover, the goal of my campaign for Congress is to give a voice to working class people who for too long have been ignored by politicians who cater to the very rich and the poor but forget about the great Middle Class that makes the Hudson Valley and the nation go."

There are several thousand active and retired FDNY firefighters living in the 19th District. In December Lalor addressed the Rockland County Saint Florian Society a group named after the patron saint of firefighters that includes active and retired firefighters. Lalor was so well received at the Rockland County event he was invited to speak at the Orange County Saint Florian Society and will address the group's monthly meeting in Washingtonville tomorrow night (January 17, 2008).

In December Lalor was endorsed by the National NYCPD 10-13, the organization that represents all retired New York City Police Officers. Of the early endorsements Lalor said, "The backbone of our country and community are our first responders and our veterans, so it is quite fitting that these brave men and women are also the backbone of our campaign of issues, ideas and solutions."

Kieran Lalor, a former social studies teacher and recent Pace Law graduate, is a Marine Corps veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a national security activist challenging Rep. John Hall in New York's 19th Congressional District.