[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10898-S10899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 55--RELATIVE TO THE EMS NATIONAL MEMORIAL 
                                SERVICE

  Mr. GREGG (for himself, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Robb) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 55

       Whereas in 1928, Julian Stanley Wise founded the first 
     volunteer rescue squad in Roanoke, Virginia, the Roanoke Life 
     Saving and First Aid Crew, and Virginia has subsequently 
     taken the lead in honoring the thousands of people nationwide 
     who gave their time and energy to community rescue squads 
     through the establishment of To The Rescue, a museum located 
     in Roanoke devoted to emergency medical services (EMS) 
     personnel;
       Whereas to further recognize the selfless contributions of 
     EMS personnel nationwide and as the first State in the Nation 
     to establish a volunteer rescue squad, the Virginia 
     Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. and the Julian 
     Stanley Wise Foundation, in conjunction with To The Rescue, 
     in 1993 organized the First Annual National Emergency Medical 
     Services (EMS) Memorial Service in Roanoke, Virginia, to 
     honor EMS personnel from across the country who have died in 
     the line of duty;
       Whereas the National EMS Memorial Service has captured 
     national attention by honoring 119 providers of emergency 
     medical services from 35 States;
       Whereas the singular devotion of EMS personnel to the 
     safety and welfare of their fellow citizens is worthy of the 
     highest praise;
       Whereas the annual National EMS Memorial Service is a 
     fitting reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of EMS 
     personnel nationwide;
       Whereas according to the Department of Health and Human 
     Services, 170,000 Americans require emergency medical 
     services on an average day, a number which projects to over 
     60,000,000 people annually; and
       Whereas the life of every American will be affected, 
     directly or indirectly, by the uniquely skilled and dedicated 
     efforts of the EMS personnel who work bravely and tirelessly 
     to preserve America's greatest resource--people: Now, 
     therefore, be it

[[Page S10899]]

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress declares the memorial service held 
     in Roanoke, Virginia, and sponsored by the National Emergency 
     Medical Services (EMS) Memorial Service Board of Directors to 
     honor emergency medical services personnel who have died in 
     the line of duty as the ``National Emergency Medical Services 
     Memorial Service''.

     SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this resolution shall be construed to place the 
     National EMS Memorial Service under Federal authority or to 
     require any expenditure of Federal funds.

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution for 
myself and the two Senators from Virginia, honoring emergency medical 
services [EMS] personnel across the country. I was asked by Martin 
Singer, chief of the bureau of emergency medical services in New 
Hampshire, to submit this resolution, recognizing this important annual 
event. I am pleased to be joined by my two colleagues from Virginia, 
Mr. Warner and Mr. Robb, as original cosponsors.
  In 1993, the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc., 
and the Stanley Wise Foundation organized the first annual National 
Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service in Roanoke, VA. As the 
first State in the Nation to have a volunteer rescue squad, Virginia 
has taken the lead in recognizing the importance of these members of 
our communities both through the establishment of a museum devoted to 
EMS personnel called To The Rescue and now a memorial service to honor 
those EMS personnel who have died in the line of duty. They have opened 
their doors to communities across the Nation giving them the 
opportunity to honor these selfless individuals. It is time now that 
we, as a Nation, recognize Virginia's efforts and let EMS personnel 
across the country know that we appreciate their efforts and honor 
those who have given their lives to save the lives of others with this 
national memorial service.
  The memorial service which has been held in Virginia annually for 5 
years has now honored 119 EMS personnel from 35 States. My own State of 
New Hampshire has had three providers who had served our State honored 
for their extraordinary service. Most recently, in the ceremony held on 
May 24, 1997, Mr. Lawrence A. Volz of Newington, NH was honored. Mr. 
Volz lost his life in 1971 at age 48 while driving a community 
ambulance. This memorial service lets the family and friends of these 
very important people know that the ultimate sacrifice made by their 
loved ones for their fellow man is recognized and honored.
  It is my hope that the introduction of this resolution will make this 
very special service more widely recognized by the country as a whole 
to let all EMS personnel know that their dedication and contributions 
to their communities are greatly appreciated.

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