[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MEMORIALIZING FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS

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                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. WALSH. Madam Speaker, as an original co-sponsor of this 
legislation, I also rise in support of H.J. Res. 42 sponsored by 
Congressman Castle, which requires each year, the American flags on all 
Federal office buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of the 
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emittsburg, Maryland. 
This modest tribute to our nation's fallen heroes is long overdue.
  Roughly 1.2 million men and women serve our country as fire and 
emergency personnel and, on average, 100 firefighters sacrifice their 
lives each year. This year has been especially troubling for the fire 
service with 343 firefighters confirmed missing or dead as a result of 
the tragic events that unfolded on September 11th in New York City. It 
has also been a troubling year in Upstate New York as well. In my own 
Congressional district we lost Maine Firefighter Joe Vargason, who was 
killed by a drunk driver as he directed traffic at a car fire. 
Firefighter Vargason had honorably served the Maine community for 22 
years prior to his death. Just last week, 19 year old Lairdsville 
Firefighter Bradley Golden perished during a ``live-burn'' training 
exercise in Oneida County, New York in Congressman Boehlert's district.
  These tragedies remind us all how dangerous the fire fighting 
profession truly is. Answering 16 million calls a year firefighters 
young and old, experienced or rookies, are always in harms way. They 
put their lives' on the line every call to ensure our nation's safety.
  The many sacrifices firefighters make remind me of the Baker 
Fireman's Fountain located in Owego, NY. The fountain was given to the 
Village of Owego and its firefighters in 1914 by Frank M. Baker as a 
memorial to his son, George Hobart Baker, who was killed in an 
automobile accident in 1913. Both men had been members and chief 
engineers of the Owego Fire Department. This fountain has become a 
symbol of Tioga County. The fountain depicts a firefighter holding a 
young baby at a fire scene demonstrating the strength, devotion, and 
unselfish caring that is a part of all firefighters. It is standing 
testament to the courage and honor of these brave men and women who are 
willing to pay the ultimate price for us every time they are called to 
duty.
  Much like the Baker Fireman's Fountain, H.J. Res. 42 will also honor 
the men and women who are firefighters. Lowering the flag to half-staff 
each year is a fitting tribute to our nation's heroes. We as a nation 
are forever in their debt.

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