[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 126 (Tuesday, October 1, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6909-H6912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GOALS AND IDEAS OF DAY OF TRIBUTE TO ALL 
                              FIREFIGHTERS

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 476) expressing 
support for the goals and ideas of a day of tribute to all firefighters 
who have died in the line of duty and recognizing the important mission 
of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in assisting family 
members to overcome the loss of their fallen heroes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 476

       Whereas for over 350 years the Nation's firefighters have 
     dedicated their lives to the safety of their fellow 
     Americans;
       Whereas throughout the Nation's history many firefighters 
     have fallen in the line of duty, leaving behind family 
     members and friends who have grieved their untimely losses;
       Whereas these individuals served with pride and honor as 
     volunteer and career firefighters;
       Whereas until 1980 there was not a national tribute to 
     honor these heroes for their acts of valor or a support 
     system to help the families of these heroes rebuild their 
     lives;
       Whereas in 1992 Congress created the National Fallen 
     Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to 
     remember the Nation's fallen firefighters through a variety 
     of activities;
       Whereas each year the National Fallen Firefighters 
     Foundation hosts an annual memorial service to honor the 
     memory of all firefighters who die in the line of duty and 
     bring support and counseling to their families;
       Whereas in 2002 the memorial service will take place the 
     weekend of October 5 and 6;
       Whereas 446 fallen firefighters, including firefighters 
     from 34 States, will be honored in 2002; and
       Whereas many of their family members are expected to attend 
     the memorial service: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress supports the goals and ideas of a 
     day of tribute to all firefighters who have died in the line 
     of duty and recognizes the important mission of the National 
     Fallen Firefighters Foundation in assisting family members to 
     overcome the loss of their fallen heroes.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on 
H. Con. Res. 476.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this important resolution that I cosponsored with my 
friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), provides us with 
an opportunity to honor the commitment and bravery of those 
firefighters who gave their lives while in the line of duty during the 
year 2001. It also recognizes the important mission and contributions 
of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
  In 1992, Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 
to lead a nationwide effort to remember our fallen heroes of these 
first responders. The Foundation has successfully met this challenge, 
providing a variety of supporting activities to surviving family 
members, including emotional support, awards, scholarships for 
surviving spouses and children, and the establishment of the national 
park in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to memorialize the fallen firefighters.
  Madam Speaker, this Sunday the Foundation will honor 446 firefighters 
that lost their lives in the line of duty at an annual ceremony usually 
held in Emmitsburg, but this year held here in Washington. The 
Foundation is expecting over 20,000 people to attend this year's 
memorial weekend, a record number. Many of these people will be spouses 
and children of the 343 firefighters that perished September 11.
  On that warm September morning in 2001, the firefighters of the New 
York

[[Page H6910]]

City Fire Department reported to work as they did every day, ready to 
respond to whatever emergency situation might occur. But that morning 
was different. The 110-story World Trade Centers that were both 
literally and symbolically the center of world commerce were hit by two 
hijacked 747s.
  The firefighters of the New York Fire Department received the most 
terrifying and overwhelming emergency call that this Nation has ever 
known. Still, they responded with true bravery, rushing into that 
burning building without hesitation. They helped evacuate 25,000 
people, 25,000, the largest evacuation in the history of the world, and 
certainly they struggled until the last possible moments to free those 
who were trapped. Three hundred forty-three of them lost their lives in 
doing so. It was on that September day that the American firefighter, I 
think, became the symbol of American freedom and American bravery to 
not only those of us in the United States, but certainly to millions 
around the world.
  In addition to the heroism displayed on 9-11, we know that first 
responders all over the country display similar heroism every day, not 
just when major disaster strikes, but every day, as full-time and 
volunteers often risk their lives to protect the lives and property of 
people around the country.
  Fire and emergency service personnel respond to over 16 million calls 
annually. In addition to the 343 heroes that gave their lives in New 
York City on 9-11, last year we lost another 99 firefighters, 
volunteers and full-time, working in the line of duty to save property 
and lives.
  I think we all agree that it is our job as Americans and as Members 
of Congress to never forget the sacrifices of those who protect us, and 
I commend the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for its 
exceptional efforts in leading this charge. I offer my strongest 
support to this resolution, and certainly invite my colleagues to 
attend this Sunday's tribute.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 476. As my friend, the gentleman from Michigan, has so 
articulately pointed out, this resolution salutes the memory of the 
brave firefighters who gave their lives to help their citizens during 
the past year. It also recognizes the efforts of the National Fallen 
Firefighters Foundation to help our Nation honor the firefighters who 
die in the line of duty each year.
  The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a charitable, 
nonprofit corporation funded by donations from individuals and 
corporations. The Foundation maintains and preserves the National 
Fallen Firefighters Memorial, which is on the grounds of the National 
Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This memorial is a 7-foot stone 
monument topped by a sculptured bronze Maltese cross, which is a 
traditional symbol of the fire service. The monument is encircled by 
plaques listing the names of those who have died in service to their 
communities.

                              {time}  2215

  In 1990, Congress approved a joint resolution to designate this 
striking monument as the official national memorial to volunteer and 
career firefighters who die in the line of duty. Each October during 
Fire Prevention Week, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 
organizes a memorial service held at the monument to honor all of the 
career and volunteer firefighters who were killed in the line of duty 
during the previous year. This year the ceremony will take place this 
coming weekend of October 5 and 6. The ceremony will honor 446 
firefighters from 34 States who gave their lives last year. This 
includes the 347 heroes who perished at the World Trade Center. The 
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will provide support for the 
firefighters' families wishing to attend the memorial service in honor 
of their loved ones. It is appropriate that Congress by means of the 
resolution now before the House calls to the Nation's attention the 
dedication and sacrifice of the fire services during this week leading 
to the ceremony in Washington.
  I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), 
and I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) for 
taking the lead in developing H. Con. Res. 476 and for their leadership 
in the House on fire service-related issues. And I also wanted to thank 
the chairman of the Committee on Science, the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Boehlert), for his efforts to bring the resolution to the floor.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of the 
measure.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the author of this important 
resolution but also a firefighter himself, the motivator for the 
assistance of the Firefighter Grant Program that we started a couple 
years ago.
  (Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and 
colleague for yielding me time, and I thank my friend and colleague on 
the other side for support. I also thank the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) who have been 
outstanding advocates for the firefighters of America.
  As my colleagues know, I would not be in public life were it not for 
the fire service, having grown up in a fire service family. The 
earliest recollections of spending time with my father was at the 
firehouse with him and with my six older brothers. It was only natural 
that when I became 18 I joined the department and eventually worked up 
to becoming president and chief. I then went back to school while 
teaching during the day to get a degree in fire protection. So all of 
my life has been devoted to these outstanding men and women who protect 
us in 32,000 departments and consist of 1.2 million men and women.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution as has been outlined by my colleagues 
recognizes America's domestic defenders. These are the people who 
protect our country every day of the year and have been doing so for 
350 years, longer than the country has been a country. Because when Ben 
Franklin started the first fire department in Philadelphia, it was an 
all-volunteer group, and it was in fact started before America became a 
Nation. They have been our domestic defenders ever since. In fact, I 
call them our first responders. Much like our military protects us 
against threats from outside of our country, our domestic defenders 
protect us from those threats within America. And in fact they are 
being asked to do more and more as we face the threats of terrorism on 
our soil.
  Madam Speaker, each year we have in fact acknowledged those who have 
lost their lives. We average about a hundred deaths a year at 
Emmitsburg, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. I have made that 
trip at least three times since I have been in Congress, and I can tell 
you there is no more of a memorable event than to spend time with those 
families of brave Americans who pay the ultimate price.
  Madam Speaker, as founder and original chairman of the Congressional 
Fire and EMS Caucus, which now has 340 members of the House and Senate, 
I have traveled to every disaster we have had in the country in the 
past 16 years. From the wild lands fires in the western part of the 
country, in California, in the north, in Yellowstone Park, to the 
hurricanes down in the South, Andrew and Hugo, the Murrah Building 
bombing down in Oklahoma City, the Northridge and Loma Prieta 
earthquake. I was up at the World Trade Center in 1993 and back 2 days 
after September 11.
  Madam Speaker, when I went up to the Trade Center in 1993, I was 
escorted through that building, that bombed-out parking garage, by a 
rising young emerging chief of the New York City Fire Department. He 
and I became good friends, and we traveled around the country over the 
past 9 years talking about the need to understand the first responders 
and provide support for them.
  On two o'clock on September 11, I got a frantic phone call on my cell 
phone from my friends in New York that my good friend who had taken me 
through

[[Page H6911]]

the Trade Center in 1993 was killed when the buildings collapsed.
  Ray Downing was the chief of all rescue operations for New York City 
on September 11. He was the guy who was overseeing the bulk of the 343 
New York City firefighters who were going up in the buildings when the 
buildings were coming down. Ray Downing left behind a wife and five 
kids and grandkids. In fact, 1 month after September 11, I brought them 
all down to my district. We had a parade with 40,000 people to honor 
Ray Downing as an American hero.
  Perhaps one of the most emotional days I have had during my tenure in 
Congress was when I went to Ground Zero and spent 12 hours there 2 days 
after it occurred with my friends of the New York City Fire Department. 
We went around the back of what used to be one of the huge towers, 
which is now a seven-story pile of rubble; and I saw two firefighters 
in their turn-out gear among thousands who were collecting rubble. And 
I looked on the back of their turn-out gear and on the bottom were the 
names Downing and Downing, because Ray Downing's two sons are officers 
in the New York City Fire Department. One is a captain; one is a 
lieutenant.
  They were looking for the remains of their dad. We did not find the 
remains of Ray Downing until 3 months ago. It when through DNA 
sampling. We were able to determine that Ray in fact had been accounted 
for.
  Madam Speaker, this coming Sunday we will honor these brave 
firefighters, the 343 from New York and the others that combined for a 
total of 442 brave Americans. Anytime this country has gone to war and 
lost 442 of our sons and daughters, we have mourned as a Nation. Well, 
this past year we have lost 442 brave Americans. They were not soldiers 
on the battlefield overseas. They were our defenders here at home. And 
it is certainly fitting and proper that we set aside a day to honor 
them, that we have turn out, as I will be in attendance on Sunday, to 
pay our respects at the MCI Center here in Washington.

  It is my fervent hope that all Americans pause as we begin to 
celebrate the national week of recognition for the fire service, always 
the first week in October, and pay tribute to our true American heroes.
  As I have said time and time around the country, the firefighter is 
more than just a person who puts out the fires. It is the person you 
call upon to handle the hazmat incidents, the fires, and the 
conflagrations, the floods, the tornados, the earthquakes, the 
terrorist bombings. They are the people you call when the cat is in the 
tree, when the cellar has been flooded. They are the first group you 
call to organize a search party to find your lost child.
  In many of our small towns, the fire house is where you vote on 
election day. It is the organization that hosts the July 4 and Memorial 
Day parades. It is the organization where the Boy Scout troops and Girl 
Scout troops meet. It is the organization that makes our towns what 
they are. It really is, in my opinion, the heart and soul of America. I 
can think of no better group that represents what America is all about.
  Amazingly, 85 percent of these people are volunteers. What other 
group in America has their volunteers killed each year in protecting 
the community while going out and raising the money to buy those fire 
trucks which costs from 4 to $600,000 by having chicken dinners and tag 
days? Imagine having our police departments or trash departments out 
and raise the money to buy the trash trucks and the police cars.
  In every fire department in America, in all of our districts there 
are volunteers out there just doing that. In fact, this past Labor Day 
at Jerry Lewis' annual telethon, as has been the case every year, the 
IAFF Firefighters Union was the largest contributor to the fight 
against muscular dystrophy, the number one group in the country in 
reaching out to help other people.
  These truly are the heroes of our country. They are the people who 
time and again have allowed us to understand what America is all about, 
selfless service to help others. And as our friend, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Smith), said, we lost 343 at the Trade Center; but the 
real story is the success they had in rescuing tens of thousands of 
people that are today united with their families.
  So I ask all of my colleagues to join with us in supporting this 
resolution and paying tribute to America's heros.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), who has been very instrumental 
because of many of his constituents that were involved in September 11 
of 2001.
  Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  We appreciate what our chairman has done in regards to the National 
Fallen Firefighters Foundation and his strong support of H. Con. Res. 
476. I also thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) for his 
pursuing this effort, and, particularly, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) who has rightfully identified that the 
volunteer firefighters and the paid firefighters are a unique group 
within our country, that captures the soul and camaraderie of the 
spirit of America.
  I do say and acknowledge that after September 11, I think all of us 
thought a little longer and a little harder about how much we owe to 
our firefighters, how much we appreciate what they do for us and how 
grateful we are to them.
  I was reading in preparing for today to think that 446 firefighters 
lost their lives in the line of duty during the past year. And even if 
you subtract out the incredibly large number of 343 whose lives were 
taken on September 11, it is amazing to me to think that over 100 
firefighters sacrificed themselves for the protection of their 
community. I am very grateful to them.
  I am very grateful to our other service industry providers, our 
police, our EMS and others; but tonight we are recognizing the 
firefighters, and this is a resolution that clearly will have 100 
percent support and for very good reason. We owe a debt of gratitude to 
our firefighters and appreciation as well to the National Fallen 
Firefighters Association.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I again want to urge support 
for this important resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall). I 
will, Madam Speaker, close by saying this is a very partial tribute by 
the effort of every community, and certainly Congress should exert to 
help our firefighters throughout this country.
  As the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) said, can you imagine 
between 70 and 85 percent, depending on the State, of these first 
responders, firefighters are volunteers? In the urban areas, that full-
time firefighter is crucial; but in the remote villages in the rural 
townships, they depend on the volunteers to make sure that we have the 
kind of fire protection and the first responder protection that is 
necessary to save lives and protect property.
  Tomorrow in our Committee on Science we will be taking up my bill, 
H.R. 4548, that continues the firefighter grant program and the 
gentleman from New York's (Mr. Boehlert) bill on legislation 
additionally assisting firefighters throughout the country with H.R. 
3992. With that, I invite my colleagues again to attend this Sunday's 
ceremony.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, as we begin Nation Fire 
Prevention Week, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 476, a resolution 
paying tribute to firefighters who have died in the line of duty, and 
recognizing the importance of the National Fallen Firefighters 
Foundation which assists families of firefighters killed on the job.
  On September 11, 2001, the country watched brave firefighters from 
New York and around the country risk their lives to save others. 
Firefighters have a special dedication to their jobs, community and 
fellow man. They willingly put their lives at risk to save the life of 
someone unknown to them. To do this, they train hard physically, 
mentally and emotionally--they are the consummate professionals. They 
are fearless men and women, who face death with each call.
  In fact, approximately 100 firefighters die each year battling what 
they refer to as ``the dragon.'' As the name implies, ``the dragon'' is 
a firefighter's vernacular for a fire. The dragon does not discriminate 
when it come to who or what it destroys, man, women, child or 
firefighter. Duty-related incidents include structural fires, wild land 
fires, vehicles fires, hazardous material fires, rescues and responding 
to the scene of an emergency.

[[Page H6912]]

  From 1981-2001, New York lists the highest number of firefighters in 
the country who were lost in the line of duty. New York is at the very 
top of an extremely unfortunate list. Last year alone there were 347 
dedicated firefighters who died in the World Trade Center disaster. 
Overall, the dragon kills about 4,500 people per year, more than all 
natural disasters combined. Another 27,000 people are injured, not to 
mention the emotional and financial injuries incurred by the families 
of fallen firefighters.
  The families of firefighters live a life of uncertainty as to whether 
their loved one will come home each day after work. When a family 
receives the dreaded news that their loved one will not be returning 
home chaos sets in, and these survivors desperately need support. As 
part of an effort to remember America's fallen firefighters and to 
provide assistance to their survivors. Congress created the National 
Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) in 1992.
  The foundation is a nonprofit organization located in Maryland which 
receives funding from private donations from individuals, 
organizations, corporations and foundations, as well as federal grant 
money. NFFF provides resources to families of fallen firefighters, such 
as a grieving network, special scholarships, and important information 
to families regarding federal, state, and local benefits. These 
benefits include lump sum death payments, workers' compensation, 
funeral benefits, pensions and retirement programs and private support.
  NFFF also provides services such as regional training sessions to 
help fire departments handle a line of duty death, and an Annual 
National Tribute which honors survivors of firefighters who died in the 
previous year. This year's ceremony is scheduled for October 5 and 6, 
and will honor 445 firefighters, including those killed at the World 
Trade Center.
  Last September, the entire world watched with bated breath as 
firefighters unselfishly and effectively did their jobs. These acts of 
honor and bravery were in sharp contrast to the cowardly acts of 
violence perpetrated on America. Our lives depend on firefighters and 
we are beholden to them for so very much.
  I support this Resolution which reminds us all of what a difficult 
job firefighters have, and the sacrifices their families make. I am 
proud to honor the lives lost, the thousands of firefighters who 
continue to work tirelessly and bravely, as well as their families.
  Mr. GRUCCI. Madam Speaker, I would first like to thank my colleague 
Congressman Weldon for his tireless efforts on behalf of America's 
firefighters, and for bringing this measure to the floor today.
  Few images throughout history more clearly illustrate heroism better 
than the images of brave firefighters entering the World Trade Center--
knowing they very well may never return--with one selfless goal in 
mind: to save lives.
  On that tragic day--September 11, 2001--347 firefighters died in the 
line of duty, several from my own district on Long Island.
  While the heroic efforts of these brave men and women may be more 
clear on that day there isn't a day that passes when firefighters do 
not risk their own lives to save others.
  Last year alone, 442 firefighters sacrificed their lives in order to 
save the lives of innocent victims of fire and other emergencies.
  Later this week, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will 
honor these firefighters and their families for the sacrifices made 
over the last year. We will remember the impact these brave 
firefighters have made in towns and communities throughout America and 
the heroism that has saved countless lives.
  On behalf of the First Congressional District of New York--home to 
several fallen firefighters--I join my colleagues in support of H. Con. 
Res. 476.
  Mr. GEKAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 476 and urge my colleagues to support this important piece of 
legislation as well.
  Our firefighters protect us every day and sometimes give up their own 
lives to protect and serve their communities and their fellow man. This 
was never more evident than on September 11, 2001. On that day, as 
frightened and wounded civilians ran from the World Trade Center, brave 
firefighters rushed in, in a determined effort to save others. These 
brave individuals risked everything in an effort to render aid and 
evacuate the people trapped in the towers. This effort cost many 
firefighters their lives. The September 11, 2001, attacks highlighted 
the spirit and courage of firefighters across the nation. Mostly 
volunteers, these men and women protect our lives and property, and 
while they never boast of their heroic deeds, they are truly heroes.
  H. Con. Res. 476 reaffirms that Congress supports the goals and ideas 
of a day of tribute to all firefighters who have died in the line of 
duty and recognizes the important mission of the National Fallen 
Firefighters Foundation in assisting family members to overcome the 
loss of their fallen heroes. I am thankful to be able to rise today and 
proclaim support of H. Con. Res. 476 on behalf of every firefighter in 
Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District.
  Madam Speaker, this is the very least we can do. I salute Congressman 
Weldon for sponsoring this resolution and would like to thank him for 
his leadership on the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, of which I am 
a member. The firefighters of the United States should know that the 
Congressional Fire Services Caucus is continually striving to respond 
to their needs and to deliver to them the equipment and resources they 
need to do their job in a safe and effective manner.
  Firefighting will never be a safe endeavor but we in Congress must do 
all we can to help our firefighters. No matter what we provide to our 
firefighters we will never equal the sacrifices they make for us. 
Collectively, we in Congress thank you and the passage of H. Con. Res. 
476 is just a small token of appreciation. We will never be able to 
thank you enough.
  Madam Speaker, I reaffirm my support of H. Con. Res. 476 and of the 
firefighters of Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District.
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
476, recognizing the goals and ideas of a day of tribute for fallen 
firefighters, and supporting the important mission of the National 
Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
  Congress created this non-profit foundation ten years ago to lead a 
national effort to honor firefighters who have died in the line of duty 
and to assist surviving firefighters and family members in rebuilding 
their lives.
  The Foundation has been steadily expanding its activities. In 
addition to providing emotional support services to survivors and 
scholarship awards for surviving spouses and children, the Foundation 
is now creating the first National Park to memorialize fallen 
firefighters in Emmitsburg, Maryland. And this Sunday, October 6th, the 
Foundation will sponsor a memorial weekend to honor the commitment, 
bravery and sacrifice of the 446 firefighters who died in the line of 
duty in the past year, 343 whose lives were taken on September 11th, 
2001.
  No one could have anticipated the magnitude of destruction and loss 
of life that occurred last September. In the wake of those tragic 
events, the value and contributions of the National Fallen Firefighters 
Foundation became unmistakably clear.
  At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the 
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation sent support staff to Ground 
Zero within days of the attacks, working around the clock to coordinate 
chaplain support services, survivor support services, as well as 
logistical and administrative support association with the loss of the 
firefighters.
  The Foundation's efforts in New York City during its time of greatest 
need were truly invaluable, and I proudly support its cause, as well 
this resolution recognizing its importance.

                                U.S. House of Representatives,

                               Washington, DC, September 30, 2002.
     Hon. J. Dennis Hastert
     Office of the Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Hastert, I am writing to inform you that the 
     Committee on Science has discharged from further 
     consideration H. Con. Res. 476, a resolution ``Expressing 
     support for the goals and ideas of a day of tribute to all 
     firefighters who have died in the line of duty and 
     recognizing the important mission of the National Fallen 
     Firefighters Foundation in assisting family members to 
     overcome the loss of their fallen heroes.'' H. Con. Res. 476 
     was referred to this Committee on September 19, 2002.
           Sincerely,
                                             Sherwood L. Boehlert,
                                                          Chairman
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Hart). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
476.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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