III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 523 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 16, 2012 Mr. Udall of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Reid, Mr. Heller, Mr. McCain, Mr. Wyden, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Thune, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Tester, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Levin, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Sessions, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Johanns) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the heroic efforts of firefighters and military personnel in the United States to contain numerous wildfires that have affected tens of thousands of people.

Whereas firefighters and residents of the United States have contended with extreme and erratic fire behavior and rapid rates of fire spread; Whereas, as of July 12, 2012, more than 31,754 wildfires have burned more than 3,281,008 acres of land, resulting in a devastating loss of life and property; Whereas, as of July 12, 2012, firefighters have battled fires all across the Nation, including— (1)1,637 fires that have burned more than 516,482 acres in the Southwest United States; (2)13,584 fires that have burned more than 291,957 acres in the Southern United States; (3)3,178 fires that have burned more than 819,345 acres in the Northern and Central Rocky Mountain region of the United States; (4)4,963 fires that have burned more than 975,669 acres in the State of California and the Great Basin region of the United States; (5)787 fires that have burned more than 595,096 acres in the State of Alaska and the Northwest United States; and (6)7,605 fires that have burned more than 82,459 acres in the Eastern United States; and Whereas, the brave men and women who fight wildfires on a daily basis help minimize the displacement of individuals and protect against the loss of life and property: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the heroic efforts of firefighters and military personnel to contain wildfires and protect lives, homes, natural resources, and rural economies throughout the United States; (2)encourages the people and Government of the United States to express their appreciation to the brave men and women in the firefighting services throughout the United States; (3)encourages the people and communities of the United States to act diligently in preventing and preparing for a wildfire; and (4)encourages the people of the United States to keep in their thoughts the individuals who have suffered as a result of a wildfire.