[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 457 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 457

Honoring Rick Lee Schwartz and Milt Stollak, who died in a plane crash 
  on July 18, 2002, while fighting the Big Elk fires near Estes Park, 
                               Colorado.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 26, 2002

 Mr. Schaffer submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Honoring Rick Lee Schwartz and Milt Stollak, who died in a plane crash 
  on July 18, 2002, while fighting the Big Elk fires near Estes Park, 
                               Colorado.

Whereas Rick Lee Schwartz was born in Choteau, Montana, was raised in Cascade, 
        Conrad, and Fairfield, Montana, and attended the Emery School of 
        Aviation in Greeley, Colorado;
Whereas Mr. Schwartz was the loving father of two stepchildren with his former 
        wife, Brenda Cook, and the newlywed husband of Liz Schwartz, who is 
        expecting their child in November of this year;
Whereas Mr. Schwartz was a life member of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star in 
        Lewistown, Montana, and was working as a pilot for Hawkins and Powers 
        Aviation, Inc. at the time of his death;
Whereas Mr. Schwartz was tragically killed in a plane crash on July 18, 2002, 
        while fighting the Big Elk fires near Estes Park, Colorado;
Whereas Mr. Schwartz is survived, among others, by his wife, Liz Schwartz; his 
        father and stepmother, Stew and Delores Schwartz; his mother, Shirley 
        Cheek; his two brothers, Jim and Scott Schwartz; and a baby due in 
        November;
Whereas Milt Stollak was born in Los Angeles, California;
Whereas Mr. Stollak also died in the aforementioned plane crash, and was, at the 
        time, still working with Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc., even though 
        his contract with them had already expired, due to the desperate need 
        for pilots able to perform firefighting duties;
Whereas Mr. Stollak is survived by his wife, Shannon Brumley; his daughter, 
        Brandi Stollak; and his sister, Tina Craddock;
Whereas Clear Channel of Northern Colorado is gathering funds to erect a 
        memorial to the sacrifices of Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Stollak, pilots of 
        the Air Tanker 123 who gave their lives to protect others and America's 
        forests;
Whereas firefighters across the Nation risk their lives and put themselves in 
        harm's way everyday in order to protect life and property;
Whereas, in this year alone, 11 firefighters have died while fighting forest 
        fires; and
Whereas the American public owes this Nation's firefighters a tremendous debt of 
        gratitude: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the Congress honors the late Rick Lee Schwartz and Milt 
        Stollak, recognizing that they were truly remarkable Americans 
        who exemplified the gallantry, honor, duty, virtue, and 
        determination held in such high esteem by the people of this 
        Nation; and
            (2) it is the sense of the Congress that--
                    (A) the people of this Nation should honor, 
                celebrate, and remember Rick Lee Schwartz's and Milt 
                Stollak's extraordinary bravery and service;
                    (B) the President should take appropriate measures 
                to encourage efforts to honor, celebrate, and remember 
                Rick Lee Schwartz's and Milt Stollak's extraordinary 
                service to the United States, and to commemorate the 
                contributions and service of all firefighters to the 
                people of this Nation; and
                    (C) individuals are encouraged to contribute to the 
                Air Tanker 123 Memorial Fund honoring Rick Lee Schwartz 
                and Milt Stollak.
                                 <all>