[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 614 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 614

 Honoring the firefighters and other public servants who responded to 
   the devastating Esperanza Incident fire in southern California in 
                             October 2006.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 15, 2006

  Mrs. Boxer (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION



 Honoring the firefighters and other public servants who responded to 
   the devastating Esperanza Incident fire in southern California in 
                             October 2006.

Whereas, in late October 2006, the mountain communities west of Palm Springs, 
        California were struck by a vast wildfire, which came to be known as the 
        Esperanza Incident and which authorities believe was started by an 
        arsonist;
Whereas the Esperanza Incident fire tragically claimed lives, homes and other 
        buildings, and more than 40,000 acres of terrain;
Whereas nearly 3,000 firefighters from dozens of fire crews courageously battled 
        the fast-spreading blaze, which was fanned by Santa Ana wind gusts up to 
        60 miles per hour;
Whereas 4 firefighters--Mark Loutzenhiser, Jess McLean, Jason McKay, and Daniel 
        Hoover-Najera--made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives when 
        flames overtook them as they tried to protect a home;
Whereas an additional firefighter, Pablo Cerda, joined them in that sacrifice 
        when he too lost his life, after fighting to survive for 6 days in a 
        hospital before succumbing to burns he had received fighting alongside 
        his fallen colleagues;
Whereas firefighters honored the spirit of their fallen colleagues by completing 
        the job they started and controlling the blaze, even while recognizing 
        considerable danger to their own well-being;
Whereas skilled and courageous aircraft personnel and additional emergency 
        personnel, including law enforcement and medical personnel, also 
        responded to the threat posed by the fire; and
Whereas law enforcement personnel are aggressively pursuing the conviction of 
        the arsonist, and generous Californians have offered additional funds, 
        on top of those offered by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, to 
        help bring the arsonist to justice: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes and honors--
                    (A) all of the firefighters who responded to the 
                devastating Esperanza Incident fire in southern 
                California in October 2006; and
                    (B) all others, including emergency, law 
                enforcement, and medical personnel and aircraft crews, 
                who contributed to controlling the fire, keeping 
                Californians safe, and finding and arresting the 
                suspected arsonist; and
            (2) commends the firefighters and other personnel who 
        responded to the fire for dedicated service to the people of 
        California.
                                 <all>