[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 265 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 265

Recognizing and honoring the firefighters and other public servants who 
    responded to the devastating outbreak of wildfires in southern 
                      California in October 2003.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 11, 2003

  Mrs. Boxer (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing and honoring the firefighters and other public servants who 
    responded to the devastating outbreak of wildfires in southern 
                      California in October 2003.

Whereas in late October 2003, southern California experienced multiple 
        simultaneous devastating wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes, 
        took many lives, and burned 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 on to man fire lines, first on 1 front 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 by 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;
Whereas 1 firefighter, Steven Rucker, made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his 
        life;
Whereas the firefighters who were called initially were later assisted by 
        skilled and courageous pilots, who flew 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, including 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 the 
        emergency response efforts of California: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes and honors all of the firefighters who 
        responded to the devastating outbreak of wildfires in southern 
        California in October 2003;
            (2) recognizes and honors all others, including emergency, 
        law enforcement, and medical personnel, pilots, and members of 
        the Armed Forces, for their important contributions to 
        controlling the wildfires and keeping Californians safe; and
            (3) commends the firefighters and other personnel for 
        dedicated service to the people of California.
                                 <all>