[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 3, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing H. Con. Res. 241, which 
recognizes the service of the search and rescue dogs who have been an 
integral part of the ongoing emergency response efforts in New York, 
Washington, and Pennsylvania following the tragic events of September 
11.
  Our Nation has witnessed the valiant courage and selfless sacrifice 
of our public safety officers as well as ordinary citizens in the wake 
of these horrendous barbaric terrorist attacks. It should be noted that 
these search and recovery efforts have been aided by the service of 
more than 300 specially trained rescue dogs which possess unique 
sensory abilities that allow them to perform much-needed tasks that 
cannot be conducted as efficiently by people.
  These rescue dogs, working in tandem with their equally courageous 
handlers, have endured exhaustion, exposure to noxious fumes and active 
fires, risks from falling debris, and other hazards during the rescue 
and recovery efforts. Accordingly, we should recognize the contribution 
of these highly trained canines along with those brave men and women 
who have risen to the challenge of responding to this tragedy.

                            H. Con. Res. 241

       Whereas thousands of Americans and citizens of other 
     nations perished in the terrorist attacks on the United 
     States on September 11, 2001;
       Whereas many police officers, firemen, and other emergency 
     rescue workers also perished or were injured in their heroic 
     efforts to save people at the site of the World Trade Center, 
     in New York, New York, and also worked in the rescue and 
     recovery efforts at the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., 
     and at the site of the airline crash in Pennsylvania;
       Whereas the rescue operations also involved more than 300 
     trained service dogs that performed rescue and recovery 
     duties, particularly in New York City;
       Whereas these dogs performed their duties at serious risk 
     to their health and welfare and suffered injuries during the 
     rescue and recovery process; and
       Whereas these dogs were an important component of the 
     larger rescue and recovery efforts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) more than 300 specially trained rescue and recovery 
     dogs were instrumental in the emergency response operations 
     in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia in the aftermath of 
     the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 
     2001;
       (2) these dogs have unique sensory abilities that allow 
     them to perform a set of tasks that cannot be conducted as 
     efficiently by people;
       (3) these dogs, working in tandem with their handlers, 
     endured exhaustion, exposure to noxious fumes and active 
     fires, risks from falling debris, and other hazards during 
     the rescue and recovery efforts; and
       (4) the Nation owes a debt of gratitude for the service 
     given by these dogs.

     

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