[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 85 Received in Senate (RDS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 85


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 13, 2003

                                Received

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for 
 improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of 
 the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, 
                             Rhode Island.

Whereas, on the night of February 20, 2003, a pyrotechnic display ignited a 
        massive fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island;
Whereas 99 people have died as a result of the fire and an additional 186 people 
        were injured in the fire, many of whom remain hospitalized as of the 
        date of the


submission of this resolution with life-threatening burns and other 
injuries;

Whereas the victims of the fire were residents of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, 
        Connecticut, and several other States;
Whereas the firefighters, police officers (particularly officers of the West 
        Warwick Police Department who were the first to arrive on the scene), 
        and medical personnel who responded to the fire performed heroically 
        under horrific circumstances, and they risked their own lives to save 
        many of the injured;
Whereas, at hospitals in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, doctors, nurses, 
        hospital staff, mental health professionals, and other health care 
        workers toiled through the night and in the following days to care for 
        the injured, and they continue to provide world-class care to victims of 
        the fire who remain hospitalized;
Whereas hospital care for victims of the fire was provided at Rhode Island 
        Hospital, Kent County Hospital, South County Hospital, Fatima Hospital, 
        Massachusetts General Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Roger Williams 
        Hospital, Landmark Hospital, University of Massachusetts/Worcester 
        Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Westerly Hospital, Shriners 
        Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Charlton Hospital, and 
        Newport Hospital;
Whereas the local Red Cross, with 10 paid staff and over 400 dedicated 
        volunteers, has played a critical role in offering comfort to the 
        families of victims and coordinating services;
Whereas State and local officials have responded to the fire and its aftermath 
        quickly, effectively, and compassionately, and the people of Rhode 
        Island and the Nation are grateful for their efforts;
Whereas Governor Donald Carcieri of Rhode Island and West Warwick Town Manager 
        Wolfgang Bauer have shown exceptional leadership under trying 
        circumstances and their sensitivity to the families impacted by the 
        tragedy is much appreciated; Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and Maj. Gen. 
        Reginald Centracchio, as Co-Chairs of the Emergency Management Advisory 
        Council, have also played a crucial role in responding to the tragedy; 
        and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency has impressively and 
        effectively coordinated a myriad of State and local activities;
Whereas area funeral directors and medical examiners have provided outstanding 
        service throughout the tragedy;
Whereas the staff of the local family resource center has helped the families of 
        victims to access the services and information they need and provided 
        care and comfort to hundreds of grieving family members;
Whereas the people of Rhode Island and concerned citizens across the United 
        States have shown incredible generosity in response to the tragedy, 
        contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to victims' assistance 
        efforts;
Whereas many local businesses have provided victims and their families with 
        crucial services from food to transportation, members of the Rhode 
        Island Bar Association and Rhode Island Trial Lawyers Association have 
        offered free assistance to victims and their families with immediate 
        legal issues, and community mental health centers and mental health 
        professionals have provided critical mental health care to victims and 
        their families and other members of the community;
Whereas Federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration, the 
        Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and 
        Firearms, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Small Business 
        Administration, have offered assistance and expertise that has been 
        extremely helpful to the State's emergency response to the tragedy;
Whereas the West Warwick fire is only the most recent example of how deadly fire 
        can be in nonresidential buildings;
Whereas, in 2001, the last year in which full statistics are available, 80 
        people were killed and 1,650 injured in fires in nonresidential 
        buildings, not including the victims of the terrorist attacks on 
        September 11, 2001; and
Whereas, on February 17, 2003, 21 people were killed in a tragic stampede at the 
        E2 Nightclub in Chicago, Illinois, and this tragedy and the West Warwick 
        fire, which have deeply impacted persons throughout the United States, 
        emphasize the critical need for enhancements in nightclub and concert 
        hall safety: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) expresses its deepest condolences to the family members 
        and friends who lost loved ones as a result of the tragic fire 
        on February 20, 2003, at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, 
        Rhode Island, and offers its hope for the quick and full 
        recovery of those persons who were injured in the fire;
            (2) expresses immense gratitude for the efforts of 
        countless emergency response personnel, local, State, and 
        Federal officials, health care providers, volunteers, 
        businesses, and citizens who have been part of the response to 
        this tragedy; and
            (3) urges State and local officials and the owners of 
        entertainment facilities to examine their safety practices, 
        fire codes, and enforcement capabilities in light of this 
        horrific tragedy and to take all necessary action to ensure 
        that such a tragedy never befalls any community again.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 11, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.