[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H3423-H3425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES MEMORIAL SERVICE

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 171) declaring the memorial 
service sponsored by the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 
Memorial Service Board of Directors to honor emergency medical services 
personnel to be the ``National Emergency Medical Services Memorial 
Service,'' as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 171

         
       Whereas in 1928 Julian Stanley Wise founded the first 
     volunteer rescue squad in United States, the Roanoke Life 
     Saving and First Aid Crew, and Virginia has subsequently 
     taken the lead in honoring the thousands of people nationwide 
     who give 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, 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 at Greene Memorial United 
     Methodist Church in Roanoke, Virginia, to honor EMS personnel 
     from across the country who have died in the line of duty;
       Whereas the annual 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 EMS personnel who work bravely and tirelessly to 
     preserve America's greatest resource--people: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. OFFICIAL SITE OF NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE.

       The Congress declares the City of Roanoke, Virginia, to be 
     the official site of the National Emergency Medical Services 
     Memorial Service to honor emergency medical services 
     personnel who have died in the line of duty.

     SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

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

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 171, the 
resolution now being considered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to approve H. Con. Res. 171 
introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode), which designates the city of 
Roanoke, Virginia, to be the official site of the National Emergency 
Medical Services Memorial Service.

[[Page H3424]]

  H. Con. Res. 171, Mr. Speaker, does honor to the memory of 119 
emergency medical services personnel in 35 States who laid down their 
lives for their fellow Americans in the line of duty. I urge my 
colleagues to support this measure to bring greater public acclaim to 
the many men and women who have sacrificed their time, and even their 
lives, for the health and safety of others.
  Mr. Speaker, I would communicate to my fellow Members that this 
passed through our subcommittee and full committee on a voice vote 
unanimously.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation we are considering 
today, the National Emergency Services Memorial Service. I strongly 
support this effort to honor the dedicated men and women in our 
emergency medical service and rescue squads who have laid down their 
lives in the line of duty.
  All across the country, municipal and volunteer EMS and rescue squads 
saves thousands of lives each year. In this capacity, these brave women 
and men often place their lives in grave danger to save the lives of 
their fellow citizens.
  In my district in northeast Ohio, rescue squads in communities like 
Medina and Brunswick and Sheffield Lake are on call night and day, 
utilizing their well-honed skills to meet the needs of citizens whom 
they serve.
  This legislation, which pays homage to EMS personnel who have died in 
the line of duty by recognizing an annual national memorial service in 
their honor, was unanimously passed by the Committee on Commerce.
  I would like to thank my Chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Bilirakis), for his leadership on this issue in honor of the thousands 
of dedicated EMS and rescue squad professionals around the country and 
those who have died in the line of duty saving lives. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of our 
subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for his great 
cooperation and the work done by both staffs, majority and minority.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I especially want to give my thanks to 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for moving this legislation 
through his subcommittee and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) 
for moving it through the full Committee on Commerce, and I also want 
to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) for his assistance as 
well.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my good friend and colleague 
from Virginia (Mr. Goode) in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 171 
which I have introduced to honor emergency medical services personnel 
and, in particular, those who have given their lives in the line of 
duty and also to name Roanoke, Virginia, as the official site of the 
National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service held each year to 
honor those fallen EMS personnel.
  In 1928, an aptly-named gentleman from Roanoke, Virginia, Julian 
Stanley Wise, founded the first volunteer rescue squad in America, the 
Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew. This organization was the 
forerunner of today's emergency medical services programs. Today, 
thousands of dedicated citizens give their time and energy to community 
rescue squads across the country as EMS personnel, and many have made 
the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for the safety and welfare 
of their fellow citizens.
  To further recognize the contributions of both Julian Wise and 
countless EMS personnel nationwide, a museum was established in Roanoke 
to pay tribute to both volunteer and career EMS personnel. This museum 
called, To the Rescue, includes a memorial ``Tree of Life,'' which 
includes a bronze oak leaf that has inscribed on it the names of all 
those who have been recognized. A national EMS Memorial Book, located 
beside the Tree of Life, contains a picture and brief biography of each 
person recognized.
  In 1993, to honor EMS personnel from across the country who have died 
in the line of duty, the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue 
Squads, Incorporated, and the Julian Stanley Wise Foundation, in 
conjunction with To the Rescue, organized the first annual National 
Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service in Roanoke. Since then, the 
National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service has captured 
national attention by honoring 119 providers of emergency medical 
services from 35 States who have given their lives in the line of duty.
  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: 
her people. Because the memorial service held in Roanoke is a fitting 
reminder of that bravery and sacrifice, it is only appropriate that 
Congress recognize the City of Roanoke as the official site of the 
National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service.
  Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator 
Gregg of New Hampshire, as well as Senators Warner and Robb of 
Virginia. I join my colleague from Virginia (Mr. Goode) today in urging 
my colleagues to support this resolution, and I also would urge the 
Senate to act swiftly to pass this important resolution and recognize 
the important role that EMS personnel play in the life of every 
American citizen.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Goode).
  (Mr. GOODE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GOODE. Mr. Speaker, I want to say a special word of thanks to the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) for his leadership on this 
measure and to thank the committee for their prompt action and for 
doing it right before the Memorial Day recess.
  Over the course of a number of years, I have had the opportunity to 
come to know many members of the Virginia Association of Volunteer 
Rescue Squads. I have seen their experiences in many different avenues 
and the work that they have done. I also know the hard work that they 
did in the Virginia general assembly over many years. I know of the 
kindnesses personally that they extended to my mother when she was ill 
and needed their assistance on many occasions.
  So, at the outset, I want to commend the Members of the Virginia 
Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads on originating the National EMS 
Memorial Service in Roanoke, Virginia, and in continuing to be one of 
its major supporters. Now, the service takes in squads, emergency 
medical services teams and other units from all across the Nation. In 
the past few years, they have been as far away as the State of 
Washington and the State of California.
  In closing, I simply want to say it is indeed fitting that Congress 
spend a few minutes to honor the men and women who have given their 
lives in this honorable pursuit and to declare the memorial service 
held in Roanoke, Virginia and sponsored by the National Emergency 
Medical Services Memorial Service board to honor emergency medical 
service personnel who have died in the line of duty.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, a little over a year ago, on the night of 
May 3, 1997, Jessie F. Bricker, Jr., a brave fire fighter from San 
Antonio, Texas, responded to a four-alarm fire. After joining in a 
battle that lasted over 7 hours. Soon after he returned to the station, 
Mr. Bricker succumbed to smoke inhalation and died. Over 100 others 
like Mr. Bricker have paid the ultimate price for their service to our 
communities. Let us stand here today and convey to the loved ones of 
these fallen personnel that these sacrifices do not go unnoticed. I 
rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 171, which recognizes the 
sacrifices of the men and women who risk their lives each day to 
protect us in cities and towns all across the country.
  We cannot bring back those brave emergency personnel like Jessie 
Bricker who gave their lives to protect us. But we can take action 
today to recognize the risks that our fire fighters face each day. This 
bill would honor the National Emergency Medical Service Memorial 
Service which each year recognizes

[[Page H3425]]

those who have fallen in the line of duty. Furthermore, this 
legislation expresses the gratitude that we show for the dedication of 
volunteer and career emergency personnel, who each day leave the 
security of their homes and families to serve those in need all across 
America.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, today the House will consider legislation, H. 
Con. Res. 171, to declare that the memorial service held each year in 
Roanoke, Virginia to honor emergency medical services personnel who 
have died in the line of duty be designated as the ``National Emergency 
Medical Services Memorial Service''. As the House debates this 
thoughtful legislation, I would like to take a moment to honor one of 
my constituents, a dedicated and heroic paramedic who was killed in the 
line of duty.
  On June 6th of last year Mr. Robert Good, of Marion Ohio, was 
responding to a motor vehicle accident involving live downed power 
lines. Knowing of the danger, Mr. Good and several other rescue workers 
extracted the accident victim from the automobile. While Robert Good 
was able to save the lives of two people, a bystander whom he pushed 
out of the way of live power lines and his partner whom he directed to 
stay clear of the accident, he was, unfortunately, not able to save 
himself. Mr. Good, the motor vehicle accident victim, and two rescue 
volunteers were killed in the courageous rescue attempt.
  Since this is National Emergency Medical Services Week, it is fitting 
that today the House is passing legislation honoring those emergency 
medical services personnel, like Mr. Good, who have died while saving 
the lives of those in need. We all owe a debt of gratitude to these 
highly skilled professionals.
  This week, Mr. Good will also be honored posthumously as part of a 
program that pays tribute to the men and women of the emergency medical 
service profession. During the ceremony, Mr. Good's partner will accept 
the appropriately named Stars of Life award on his behalf. I believe 
this is a fitting award for his selfless actions to save the lives of 
others. At this time, allow me to personally add my praise and tribute 
to the memory of Mr. Good for his courageous actions. Robert Good was 
truly a hero to all who knew him and benefited from his valiant and 
noble work.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take advantage 
of this great opportunity to personally thank the emergency medical 
personnel of our nation.
  This resolution specifically memorializes our fallen emergency 
workers through the recognition of the National Emergency Medical 
Devices Memorial Service held every year in Roanoke, Virginia. It is 
only appropriate since Roanoke is the site of the first-ever volunteer 
rescue squad in the United States, the ``Roanoke Life Saving and First 
Aid Crew''. The members of that crew, helped establish a tradition of 
selflessness and virtue that lives on today through our emergency 
health care workers.
  Although we live in a nation of relative prosperity and health, over 
170,000 people require some sort of emergency medical assistance every 
day. That amounts to 60 million Americans during the course of the 
year. As staggering an amount as that is, even more impressive is the 
fact that the great majority of those people will survive and be 
treated for their ailments successfully. By passing this resolution, we 
commend the workers who maintain that standard of excellence, at the 
risk of their own lives.
  I also understand that to limit the extent of our praise to the 
quantity of injuries our emergency medical personnel treat would be a 
great disservice. We note that these heroes and heroines often go 
beyond their job descriptions and perform with expertise, technique, 
and compassion. Colleagues, I assure you, without them, life as we 
enjoy it would be substantially different.
  I implore my colleagues to support this celebration of the 
unrecognized daily deeds done by our fellow Americans. There can be no 
higher praise for any of these individuals, who are oftentimes placed 
in harm's way, yet almost always reach beyond the realm of good 
samaritanship and into the province of heroism.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge committee 
staffers John Ford and Marc Wheat.
  Having done that, I have no further requests for time, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 171), as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Concurrent resolution 
declaring the city of Roanoke, Virginia, to be the official site of the 
National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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