[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 126 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CALIFORNIA TASK FORCE 7

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the California Task 
Force 7, Sacramento Urban Search and Rescue Unit. On September 11, 
2001, just hours after the murderous attacks on the World Trade Center 
and the Pentagon, sixty-four members of the Sacramento Urban Search and 
Rescue Team departed for New York City to assist with the recovery 
efforts. As their family and friends gather to welcome them home, I ask 
all my colleagues to join with me in saluting one of America's finest 
search and rescue teams.
  The California Task Force 7, Sacramento Urban Search and Rescue Team, 
is comprised of members from Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, 
Sacramento Fire Department, West Sacramento Fire, and El Dorado County 
Fire Protection District.
  The Sacramento Urban Search and Rescue Unit is considered a multi-
hazard discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or 
disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms, 
tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist 
activities, and hazardous material releases.
  The California Task Force 7 has always been a leader in supporting 
rescue efforts throughout the United States. The Unit was one of the 
first Urban Search and Rescue teams mobilized after the Oklahoma City 
bombing, arriving thirteen hours after the blast. The Unit also played 
an instrumental role in the rescue and relief efforts in the 1996 
Atlanta Olympics bombing, the 1996 Yosemite Rock Slide, and the 1996/
1997 California Floods.
  The Sacramento Search and Rescue Unit is comprised of sixty-four 
highly qualified and dedicated specialists divided into four groups: 
Search, Rescue, Technical, and Medical. Team members include 
specialists in structural engineering, hazardous materials, heavy 
rigging, search and rescue, canine response, logistics, and medical 
response, which includes four medical specialists and two physicians. 
By design, there are two personnel assigned to each position for the 
rotation and relief. This allows for round-the-clock task force 
operations. A comprehensive equipment cache totaling 60,000 pounds 
supports the task force.
  For ten days, the members of the California Task Force 7 worked 
tirelessly and selflessly in search of survivors in the rubble of the 
World Trade Center towers in New York City. These outstanding search 
and rescue specialists courageously answered our nation's call for 
their assistance and compassion during this hour of need. Their 
bravery, valor, and patriotism in the face of such tragic events is 
inspiring to all Sacramentans and to all Americans, and deserves our 
most heartfelt gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, as the exceptional people of the Sacramento Urban Search 
and Rescue Unit return home, we are honored to pay tribute to some of 
our area's most heroic and dedicated citizens. The California Task 
Force 7 serves as an invaluable resource to the Sacramento Region, the 
State of California, and the United States of America. We ask all of 
our colleagues to join us in thanking the men and women of the 
Sacramento Urban Search and Rescue Unit for their fearless dedication 
and service to our country during this national tragedy.

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