[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 96 (Thursday, July 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 A TRIBUTE TO THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO DIED

                                 ______


                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 1994

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commemorate the 14 
firefighters who died on the South Canyon fire near Glenwood Springs, 
CO, on July 6. These brave men and women, 13 of them employees of the 
forest service and one of them an employee of the bureau of land 
management, died to protect lives, homes, and natural resources. They 
were experienced firefighters, some of the very best in the world, and 
for years they had contributed to our Nation by risking their lives to 
fight fire. They made the ultimate sacrifice for their cause. In this 
time of mourning, we should remember to appreciate the dedication, 
courage, and hard work that they gave to our country over the years.
  Because of this tragedy, Don Mackey, Roger Roth, James Thrash, Robert 
Browning, Jon Kelso, Kathi Beck, Scott Blegha, Levi Brinkley, Bonnie 
Holtby, Rob Johnson, Tami Bickett, Doug Dunbar, Terri Hagen, and 
Richard Tyler are no longer with us, but they certainly will live on in 
the hearts of all who knew them. Furthermore, they will live for 
generations to come in the positive changes in how we manage fire that 
will come about as a result of their sacrifice. The best tribute we can 
give to them is to work diligently to understand why this tragedy 
happened and to grow from what we learn. This was the most significant 
single incident loss of Federal forest firefighters in over 40 years. 
Regrettably this past week three additional Federal firefighters lost 
their lives in a helicopter mishap. As we start what threatens to be a 
serious forest fire year it is with great concern that I recognize the 
significant risk and potential loss of life that is faced throughout 
the 1995 fire season by the professional Federal and State firefighting 
teams on the lands.
  We must rededicate ourselves to improving the way we fight fires. We 
need improvements in fire safety, in fire leadership and in integrating 
fire into the ecosystem. These deaths can prevent future deaths and can 
result in stronger, more ecologically sound fire management. We owe 
this commitment to those who died and to the friends and families they 
leave behind.

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