[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.
____________________