[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                LEGISLATION HONORING FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a 
resolution honoring firefighters throughout our nation that have died 
in the line of duty. It is appropriate that the Congress pay its 
respect to these individuals.
  Just last week, the District of Columbia lost two brave and dedicated 
public servants. Firefighter Anthony Phillips died while fighting a 
fire at a DC town house. Firefighter Louis Matthews died days later 
from burns sustained while fighting the same blaze.
  There are over 1.1 million firefighters on active duty everyday in 
the United States, and over the last 10 years, we have lost 1,109 of 
these courageous individuals to circumstances associated with doing 
their job.
  Almost a month ago, the National Fire Protection Agency announced 
that 91 firefighters died in the line of duty during the year 1998. 
That is the lowest number of deaths in the last 10 years, and one of 
the lowest totals on record. While we are pleased to see the number of 
deaths decrease, clearly all Americans look forward to the day when we 
don't lose a single firefighter.
  These brave individuals, many of whom serve as volunteers without 
compensation, risk their lives daily to insure that we can exit safety 
from our homes when they catch fire and provide life-saving care when 
we are injured in an accident. It is for these reasons that we honor 
these courageous individuals.
  I trust my colleagues will join me in paying tribute to those who 
have made the ultimate sacrifice, both in the District I serve, and all 
across the nation.

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