[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 70 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING A FALLEN HERO, FIREFIGHTER STEPHEN FURY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, in July of 1976 a 900 acre wild fire ripped 
through the Battlement Creek area of Western Colorado. During the 
blaze, four brave forest service firefighters from different parts of 
the country were killed while trying to knock out one of the deadliest 
forest fires in recent memory. On July 21st of 2001, these four men 
will be honored at the opening of a memorial to be dedicated in their 
memory. I ask that Congress take a moment to honor these four men for 
giving their lives in the line of duty.
  The four-day blaze which claimed the lives of three hotshot 
firefighters and one pilot was started by lightning, and took nearly 
300 fire fighters to douse the blaze. Twenty-three year old Stephen 
Fury, Jr. was born in Boise, Idaho where he graduated from Boise High 
School in 1971. He then went on to receive his English degree from the 
University of Idaho. During the summer of 1976, Stephen got an 
assignment with the Mormon Lake Hotshots out of the Coconino National 
Forest in Arizona.
  On the morning of July 17, 1976, the crew was assigned to build a 
section of fire line to protect Federal lands belonging to the BLM. The 
hotshots were working on a section of fire line on the upper east side 
of the fire. With out warning, the fire took off and overran Stephen 
and two other crewmembers. The fourth member of the crew survived.
  Mr. Speaker, four men gave their lives protecting Federal land during 
the Battlement Creek fire in July of 1976. Stephen Fury and his crew 
will be honored by the citizens of the Battlement Creek area for their 
courage and bravery. I would ask that Congress honor them and thank 
them for their work.
  Stephen's family should be proud of what he accomplished in his life 
and what he did for the people of Battlement Creek.

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