[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1322 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1322

 Commending the firefighters from California and throughout the United 
  States for their courageous actions and sacrifices in fighting the 
                         California wildfires.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 8, 2008

    Mr. Farr (for himself, Ms. Pelosi, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Thompson of 
  California, Mrs. Napolitano, Mrs. Tauscher, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of 
California, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Berman, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Ms. 
 Eshoo, Mr. Honda, Mr. Royce, Ms. Solis, Mr. Gallegly, Ms. Matsui, Mr. 
 Baca, Mrs. Bono Mack, Mr. Costa, and Ms. Lee) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the firefighters from California and throughout the United 
  States for their courageous actions and sacrifices in fighting the 
                         California wildfires.

Whereas, since June 20, 2008, there have been 1,781 wildfires in California 
        started by natural causes, including lightning, or by human activity;
Whereas 630,886 acres of land have burned in these wildfires, and, as of July 8, 
        2008, there are 323 wildfires still burning in California;
Whereas significant portions of National Forest System land and wilderness areas 
        continue to burn in the Los Padres, Klamath, Shasta, Trinity, Mendocino, 
        Plumas, Eldorado, Tahoe, Six Rivers, and Lassen National Forests;
Whereas areas of Butte, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Shasta counties are under 
        evacuation orders, and precautionary evacuation orders currently exist 
        in areas of Kern, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Plumas 
        counties;
Whereas the wildfires are threatening 8,874 residences, 168 commercial 
        buildings, and 2,085 outbuildings, but the heroic efforts of 
        firefighters have limited the destruction to 40 residences, 1 commercial 
        building, and 61 outbuildings;
Whereas firefighters have already been working for weeks on the front lines of a 
        fire season that is just beginning;
Whereas firefighters have risked their lives and endured great hardship to 
        protect life, property, and the environment;
Whereas there are currently 18,415 personnel committed, as well as 1,403 fire 
        engines, 388 hand crews, 269 bulldozers, 392 water tenders, 31 air 
        tankers, 30 incident management teams, and 95 helicopters;
Whereas 40 States and the District of Columbia have provided assistance to fight 
        the wildfires:
Whereas the cooperative, unified approach to addressing wildland fires by 
        Federal, State, local, tribal, and volunteer agencies have worked as one 
        team under California's innovative incident command system;
Whereas the wildfires have been fought in a manner consistent with wilderness 
        and wildlife protection, including protection of endangered species such 
        as the Southern Sea Otter;
Whereas the people of California and the United States recognize that the 
        dedication of the firefighters will remain steadfast throughout the 
        ongoing suppression, repair, and rebuilding efforts;
Whereas firefighters continue to make progress in containing wildfires 
        throughout California, and, as of July 8, 2008, more than 1,400 fires 
        have been contained due to the diligent and tireless efforts of 
        firefighters from California and throughout the United States; and
Whereas several firefighters have been injured and one firefighter has given his 
        life while fighting the wildfires: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends firefighters from California and throughout 
        the United States for their courageous actions and sacrifices 
        in fighting wildfires on National Forest System land and other 
        public lands in California;
            (2) acknowledges the continued work of firefighters to 
        protect National Forest System land, other public lands, and 
        private property from further damage;
            (3) praises the people of California for their great 
        courage in this time of crisis; and
            (4) extends its heartfelt sympathies to the families of 
        those who have lost loved ones or their homes, businesses, or 
        other property in the wildfires.
                                 <all>