[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 158 (Thursday, October 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15140-S15141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

 Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, October 8 through 14 marks the 
observance of National Fire Prevention Week. During this week, the 
Nation focuses its attention on fire safety awareness and education. 
These preventive efforts play an important part in the protection of 
our citizens from the devastation of accidental fire. While education 
is vital to fire prevention, the indispensable crux of our country's 
fire prevention efforts is the men and women who risk their lives daily 
to protect their community from harmful fires. These hard working 
individuals diligently serve the public despite the risks inherent in 
their profession.
  Sadly, these risks sometimes overtake these public servants. Some may 
remember the terrible tragedy that occurred near Glenwood Springs, CO 
last year. On Wednesday, July 6, 1994, 14 elite firefighters died when 
a wildfire exploded up a mountainside. The Nation grieved that loss and 
we continued to extend our sympathies to the families and individuals 
affected.
  I am especially saddened for the nine young men and women from Oregon 
who perished in the fire--Bonnie Holtby, Jon Kelso, Tami Bickett, Scott 
Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Kathi Beck, Rob 

[[Page S 15141]]

Johnson, Terri Hagen, and Doug Dunbar. These fine young men and women 
represented nearly half of a 20-person crew based in the Central Oregon 
town of Prineville. But they were not alone; individuals from Idaho, 
Montana, Georgia, and Colorado also met a tragic fate in the line of 
duty.
  Calling themselves the Hot Shots, these elite firefighters were a 
special breed. The nine from Prineville came from a region especially 
susceptible to forest fires. But these Hot Shots were committed to 
fighting fires all over the country and served in States all over the 
west, where summer fires can be so dangerous. These young men and women 
came to Colorado directly from fires in California and Oregon. I know 
they took pride in being part of a national team and a national effort 
to protect our homes and communities from the terror of forest fires.
  We have lost tremendous potential, hope, and energy with these young 
fire-fighters. Nothing can replace the loss of a loved one, but each 
year in October the Nation pauses to recognize the volunteer and career 
firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The National Fallen 
Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD serves as a monument to the 
courage and dedication of these heroic men and women. This weekend 
families and friends gather together to mourn the loss of these 
courageous individuals and to commemorate the valiant service of 
firefighters across the Nation.
  As these families collectively grieve, the Nation should share in 
their grief remembering the sacrifices of firefighters who have lost 
their lives in the line of duty. As we observe National Fire Prevention 
week and commemorate the actions of those no longer with us, we should 
also recognize the courage of our active firefighters who selflessly 
protect their communities day in and day out. These individuals deserve 
our recognition, our gratitude, and our highest admiration.

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