[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION MEMORIAL WEEKEND 2002

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this weekend firefighters from across the 
country are coming to Washington, DC, to honor the lives of their 
family, friends, and colleagues during the 2002 Fallen Firefighters 
Foundation Memorial Weekend. Since 1981, the names of America's fallen 
fire heroes have been memorialized at the official National Fallen 
Firefighters Memorial. Sadly, this year the names of 446 brave and 
heroic men and women of the fire service will be added to the Roll of 
Honor in Emmitsburg, MD.
  Last year, 442 firefighters from 34 States lost their lives while 
serving their communities. 2001 was the deadliest year in the history 
of America's fire service. New York leads the list with 359 
firefighters killed, including the 347 World Trade Center heroes. Also, 
four firefighters who died before 2001 but whose names had not been 
included on the national memorial will be added. Three individuals from 
my home State of Michigan will also be added to Roll of Honor.
  James Pelton joined the City of Mason Volunteer Fire Department in 
May of 1964. He received his training the old fashioned way, on the 
job. Jim worked his way up through the ranks from First Lieutenant to 
Chief of the department. He always looked for ways to educate people 
about the importance of fire safety. Jim helped implement a variety of 
training programs, including ice rescue, hazardous materials handling, 
and vehicle extrication training.
  In April 1972, James Rupkey became a charter member of Station Five 
of the Troy Fire Department. He served the department for more than 30 
years. As Troy's volunteer assistant fire chief, he designed software 
to help the fire department respond run more efficiently. According to 
his colleagues, no matter what rank he held, he was always a leader at 
the fire department. In 2000, the department named him Firefighter of 
the Year.
  Christopher Towne, Engine Company 5 of the Detroit Fire Department, 
joined the fire department in 1972. Christopher was a courageous 
fireman, in 1991, he received a department citation for helping save 
another firefighter from being overcome by smoke when the firefighter's 
equipment malfunctioned. Christopher's job often took him out of the 
firehouse to the Children's Hospital Burn Unit where he worked as a 
fundraiser activist.
  These are just three of the 442 firefighters that lost their lives 
last year. The Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial offers family, 
friends, and loved ones an opportunity to grieve, honor, and bring 
closure to the loss of their loved ones. However, I hope that over the 
coming weekend, people across the country will take a moment to thank 
and honor their firefighters for their service, and I know my 
colleagues will join me in honoring the lives of these courageous 
public servants.

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