[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 425 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      November 5, 2003.
Whereas in late October 2003, Southern California simultaneously experienced a 
        number of devastating wildfires destroying thousands of homes, taking 
        many lives, and burning hundreds of thousands of acres of grasslands and 
        forests exceeding the devastation of any fires in the past century;
Whereas in the space of a few days, all of the resources of local firefighting 
        companies were called upon to man fire lines on first one and then on 
        many fronts;
Whereas firefighters were thrown into extraordinarily dangerous situations 
        because of the fast-moving, fuel- and wind-driven fires;
Whereas firefighters exhibited resilience and courage in continuing to stay on 
        the lines often in back-to-back shifts while knowing, in some instances, 
        that their own families were in danger or that their personal homes had 
        been lost and even giving the ultimate sacrifice of life;
Whereas those firefighters who were called initially were later assisted by 
        skilled and courageous pilots flying water-drop flights in the most 
        challenging wind and smoke conditions and by firefighters from 
        throughout the State of California and neighboring States;
Whereas additional emergency personnel, such as law enforcement and medical 
        personnel, have coordinated with local authorities and firefighters and 
        have performed beyond the call of duty in the preservation and 
        protection of human lives; and
Whereas members of the Armed Forces have once again met their country's call to 
        duty, providing valuable firefighting assets and assistance to 
        California's emergency response efforts; their actions are in keeping 
        with the finest traditions of United States military service: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and honors those 
firefighters and every public servant who participated in responding to the 
October 2003, historically devastating, outbreak of wildfires in Southern 
California and commends them for their dedicated service to the people of 
California.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.