[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 714 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 714

Honoring the firefighters and emergency workers who courageously fought 
                      fires in California in 2008.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 20, 2008

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Honoring the firefighters and emergency workers who courageously fought 
                      fires in California in 2008.

Whereas, in 2008, there have been more than 10,000 wildfires in California 
        started by natural causes and human activity;
Whereas more than 1,440,000 acres of Federal, State, and local land in 
        California burned in 2008;
Whereas, in June 2008, fires started by lightning strikes burned approximately 
        1,200,000 acres of Federal, State, and local land in California, making 
        the June fires the largest single wildfire event in California's 
        recorded history;
Whereas 41 counties across California were impacted by wildfires in 2008;
Whereas more than 1,400 homes were destroyed by fires in California in 2008;
Whereas State and local firefighters have been called to duty for increasingly 
        long fire seasons, working on the front lines of these fires for weeks;
Whereas firefighters have risked their lives and endured great hardship to 
        protect lives, property, and the environment in California;
Whereas many firefighters were injured and 14 firefighters tragically lost their 
        lives in California in 2008;
Whereas 25,000 firefighters and emergency response personnel from California, 41 
        other States, and other nations worked side-by-side to fight the 
        wildfires;
Whereas members of the National Guard from California and other States provided 
        essential support to the firefighting effort; and
Whereas the people of California and the United States recognize the steadfast 
        dedication of the firefighters throughout the ongoing fire suppression 
        and subsequent repair and rebuilding efforts: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commends the firefighters and emergency workers from 
        California, 41 other States, and other nations for their 
        courageous actions and sacrifices in fighting wildfires in 
        California;
            (2) supports 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 the face of the fires; and
            (4) extends heartfelt sympathy to the people who have lost 
        loved ones, homes, and businesses in the wildfires.
                                 <all>