[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1094-E1095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FEDERAL FIRE FIGHTERS DESERVE HEALTH BENEFITS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 13, 2001

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of thousands of federal 
fire fighters and emergency response personnel nationwide who, at great 
risk to their own personal health and safety, protect America's 
defense, our veterans, Federal wildlands and national treasures. 
Although the majority of these important federal employees work for the 
Department of Defense, federal fire fighters are also employed by the 
Department of Veteran Affairs, and the United States Park Service. From 
first-response emergency care services on military installations around 
the world to front-line defense against raging forest fires here at 
home, we call on these brave men and women to protect our national 
interests.
  Yet under federal law, compensation and retirement benefits are not 
provided to federal employees who suffer from occupational illnesses 
unless they can specify the conditions

[[Page E1095]]

of employment which caused their disease. This onerous requirement 
makes it nearly impossible for federal fire fighters, who suffer from 
occupational diseases, to receive fair and just compensation or 
retirement benefits. The bureaucratic nightmare they must endure is 
burdensome, unnecessary and, in many cases, overwhelming. It is ironic 
and unjust that the very people we call on to protect our federal 
interests are not afforded the very best in health care and retirement 
benefits our federal government has to offer.
  Today, Representatives Connie Morella (R-MD), Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), 
and Lois Capps (D-CA) joined me to introduce bipartisan legislation, 
the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2001, which amends the Federal 
Employees Compensation Act to create a presumptive disability for fire 
fighters who become disabled by heart and lung disease, cancers such as 
leukemia and lymphoma, and infectious diseases like tuberculosis and 
hepatitis. Disabilities related to the cancers, heart, lung and 
infectious diseases enumerated in this important legislation would be 
considered job related for purposes of workers compensation and 
disability retirement-- entitling those affected to the health care 
coverage and retirement benefits they deserve.
  Too frequently, the poisonous gases, toxic byproducts, asbestos, and 
other hazardous substances with which federal firefighters and 
emergency response personnel come in contact, rob them of their health, 
livelihood, and professional careers. The federal government should not 
rob them of necessary benefits.
  The bipartisan effort behind the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 
2001 marks a significant advancement for fire fighter health and 
safety. Federal firefighters deserve our highest commendation and it is 
time to do the right thing for these important federal employees.
  Thirty-eight states have already enacted a similar disability 
presumption law for federal firefighters' counterparts working in 
similar capacities on the state and local levels. The Federal 
Firefighters Fairness Act of 2001 is about parity for federal fire 
fighters; the same level of support provided to other important groups, 
such as teachers and police officers, should also be granted to these 
dedicated federal employees.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of fire fighting continues to be complex and 
dangerous. The nationwide increase in the use of hazardous materials 
and the recent rise in both natural and man-made disasters pose new 
threats to fire fighter health and safety. The Federal Fire Fighters 
Fairness Act of 2001 will help protect the lives of our fire fighters 
and it will provide them with a vehicle to secure their health and 
safety.
  I urge my colleagues to embrace this bipartisan effort and support 
the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2001 on behalf of our nation's 
federal fire fighters and emergency response personnel.

                          ____________________