[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE HOMETOWN HEROES SURVIVOR BENEFITS ACT

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2003

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our nation's public 
safety officers for their commitment to our communities and service to 
our nation. I am re-introducing my bipartisan legislation, the Hometown 
Heroes Survivor Benefits Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
support of this important initiative.
  Every day, public safety officers protect our families and 
possessions from fire, keep our streets safe, and are the first to 
respond to an emergency. Across this nation, our law enforcement 
officers and corrections officers, firefighters, and emergency medical 
service workers are dedicated and prepared, and when we call on them, 
they risk their lives for us.
  Heart attacks and strokes are one of the greatest threats to public 
safety officers, especially firefighters. In fact, almost half of all 
firefighter deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes. Fighting fires 
is dangerous, exhausting, and extremely stressful work. Indeed, a 
firefighter's chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke greatly 
increases when he or she puts on their turnout gear and rushes into a 
building to fight a fire. Likewise, law enforcement and corrections 
officers and EMS workers face daily situations that put stress and 
strain on the heart.
  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, last year 102 firefighters 
died while on duty, affecting 86 communities in 35 states. In the wake 
of their tragic losses, many of the families of these brave first 
responders received financial assistance from the Public Safety Officer 
Death Benefit, which was created by Congress over 25 years ago to 
provide these families with help in their time of need. However, some 
of these families are denied these benefits because of a glitch in the 
law.
  During the last Congress, I introduced the Hometown Heroes Survivors 
Benefits Act to correct this technicality in the Public Safety Officer 
Benefit. This bipartisan legislation will allow the families of public 
safety officers who have died from a heart attack or stroke while on 
duty, or within 24-hours after participating in a training exercise or 
responding to an emergency situation, to receive this benefit.
  Last year, 113 of our colleagues cosponsored this bill, and the House 
unanimously passed it. Unfortunately, we were not able to move the bill 
through the U.S. Senate before adjournment, despite the strong support 
of several Senators from both parties.
  Today I, along with Representatives Steny Hoyer, Curt Weldon, Mike 
Oxley, and 40 other members of this House, are re-introducing the 
Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act. During this time of increased 
awareness and concern regarding the threat of terrorism, we are calling 
on our public safety officers to work longer and harder than ever 
before. This legislation shows our public safety officers and their 
families that we recognize their selfless contributions to protecting 
us and our communities, and that we stand with them.
  We urge every Member in this House to join our bipartisan coalition 
by cosponsoring this critical legislation and working with us to pass 
it into law.

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