[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 1, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JONATHAN CAMERON BOSTER

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Jonathan 
Cameron Boster, a fallen firefighter who gave his life in service to 
his community. While nearly 100 fire service personnel nationwide 
sacrifice their lives every year, Jon's death is even more poignant 
because he was just 19 years old.
  At 10 p.m. on April 8, 1996, Grant County Fire District 5 was 
responding to a structure fire in Moses Lake, WA. The water tanker Jon 
was driving rolled off a curved rural road, killing him and injuring 
one other firefighter. Jon's comrades could not turn back because of 
their commitment to the community. They did what Jon would have done; 
they fought the fire.
  Jon was a fun-loving young man with bright eyes and a charming smile. 
A Montana State all-star basketball player in high school, Jon also 
played football and ran track. He enjoyed water and snow skiing, 
fishing and hunting. Jon delighted in his niece and nephew and his 
greatest joy was playing with them.
  His driving desire, however, was firefighting and his world revolved 
around his ambition. He was a resident firefighter and E.M.S. provider 
and a State-certified first responder and defibrillator technician. He 
planned to attend the Washington State Fire Academy.
  Each October, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation holds a 
memorial in tribute to the firefighters who died the previous year. On 
October 5, 1997, Jon will be honored and a plaque listing his name and 
the names of each fallen firefighter will be unveiled and dedicated.
  Every fallen firefighter is a hero, and each death a loss to an 
entire community. While Jon's death is sorrowful, we can take comfort 
in knowing that Jon gave his life in pursuit of his goal, racing not 
just to a fire, but toward a dream.

                          ____________________