[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 159 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H10377-H10384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING AND HONORING FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO 
                 RESPONDED TO 2003 CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 425) recognizing and honoring the firefighters and 
other public servants who responded to the October 2003, historically 
devastating, outbreak of wildfires in Southern California.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 425

       Whereas in late October 2003, Southern California 
     simultaneously experienced a number of devastating wildfires 
     destroying thousands of homes, taking many lives, and burning 
     hundreds of thousands of acres of grasslands and forests 
     exceeding the devastation of any fires in the past century;
       Whereas in the space of a few days, all of the resources of 
     local firefighting companies were called upon to man fire 
     lines on first one and then on many fronts;
       Whereas firefighters were thrown into extraordinarily 
     dangerous situations because of the fast-moving, fuel- and 
     wind-driven fires;
       Whereas firefighters exhibited resilience and courage in 
     continuing to stay on the lines often in back-to-back shifts 
     while knowing, in some instances, that their own families 
     were in danger or that their personal homes had been lost and 
     even giving the ultimate sacrifice of life;

[[Page H10378]]

       Whereas those firefighters who were called initially were 
     later assisted by skilled and courageous pilots flying water-
     drop flights in the most challenging wind and smoke 
     conditions and by firefighters from throughout the State of 
     California and neighboring States;
       Whereas additional emergency personnel, such as law 
     enforcement and medical personnel, have coordinated with 
     local authorities and firefighters and have performed beyond 
     the call of duty in the preservation and protection of human 
     lives; and
       Whereas members of the Armed Forces have once again met 
     their country's call to duty, providing valuable firefighting 
     assets and assistance to California's emergency response 
     efforts; their actions are in keeping with the finest 
     traditions of United States military service: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and 
     honors those firefighters and every public servant who 
     participated in responding to the October 2003, historically 
     devastating, outbreak of wildfires in Southern California and 
     commends them for their dedicated service to the people of 
     California.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 425.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 425 recognizes and honors the deserving 
firefighters in southern California for their response to the 
devastating wildfires there which have affected so many lives. The 
raging fires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres and burned 
thousands of homes in one of the worst disasters in California history. 
Regrettably, 22 people have lost their lives due to the fires.
  Mr. Speaker, the devastation of the blazes has been overshadowed by 
the vigilance and bravery of the men and women who have fought the 
fires nonstop over the last 2 weeks. These firefighters have endured 
extreme heat and dangerous smoke in saving countless lives and 
properties. Their incredible work will help all California citizens go 
back to their everyday lives once the fires are fully extinguished, 
and, indeed, the fires may be nearing the end. Due to the firefighters' 
efforts, many believe that the blazes are becoming contained and the 
worst is over. People are already returning home, children are going 
back to school and interrupted utility service is resuming.

                              {time}  1315

  These facts are a testament to the determination of the Southern 
California firefighters for their unyielding efforts. The firefighters 
have indeed earned the thanks of a grateful House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, the President joined many of our colleagues yesterday 
during a visit to the ravaged area. I think the President thoughtfully 
summed up the situation in California during his tour when he observed, 
``I see human tragedy and heartache. I see the loss of a lot of 
material possessions. However, I see a strong spirit which exists here. 
I see people who are resolved to rebuild their lives. Amidst their 
tears they do see hope. And that is a great tribute to the people in 
this part of California.''
  Mr. Speaker, we commend the firefighters in California for their 
invaluable lifesaving work. The thoughts of the Members of this House 
are with the resilient citizens of California during this 
extraordinarily trying time.
  I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 425, introduced by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).
  Mr. Speaker, the fires raging through Southern California have killed 
20 people, destroyed more than 3,400 homes, and scorched over 750,000 
acres of forests. Most of the deaths and demolished homes were in San 
Diego County, where a 280,000-acre blaze was apparently started by a 
lost hunter who set a signal fire.
  Every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands of lives and 
destroy property worth billions of dollars. Firefighters are on the 
front lines between the public and the devastation the fire can cause. 
Firefighters help protect the public interest from these dangers by 
rapidly responding to a variety of emergencies. Firefighting involves 
hazardous conditions and long, irregular hours.
  Firefighters must be prepared to respond immediately to a fire or to 
any other emergency that arises. Because fighting fires is dangerous 
and complex, it requires organization and teamwork.
  When fires break out in forests and parks, firefighters are brought 
in to suppress the blaze by using heavy equipment, hand tools, and 
water hoses. Forest firefighting is rigorous work. One of the most 
effective means of battling a blaze is to create fire lines by cutting 
down trees and digging out grass and all other vegetation, thereby 
creating bare land in the path of the fire that deprives it of fuel. 
Elite firefighters, called smoke jumpers, parachute from airplanes to 
reach otherwise inaccessible areas. This is extremely hazardous, 
because the crews have no way to escape if the wind shifts and causes 
the fire to burn towards them.
  That is what firefighters do. They risk their lives for the public, 
and Steven Rucker was not any different. Steven Rucker died in the line 
of duty last week while battling the Cedar fire near the town of Julian 
in San Diego County. Steven Rucker and three other firefighters were 
battling to save a home as part of a strike team called in to battle 
the immense San Diego County blaze. The four men were working to save a 
structure when the swirling flames overwhelmed their position.
  Rucker's colleagues, Captain Doug McDonald, Engineer Shawn Kreps, and 
Firefighter/Paramedic Barrett Smith were injured on the lines before 
the group was evacuated by helicopter from the scene.
  We owe the California firefighters, and all firefighters, a debt of 
gratitude for what they do to protect us from the devastation of fires. 
That gratitude should be extended when the fire is blazing and when it 
has dimmed.
  I support this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 6 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Davis), the sponsor of this bill.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) for managing House Resolution 425, and I also want to thank and 
let the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my colleague from San 
Diego, know how much I honor working with him on this, as well, as we 
honor brave firefighters with this resolution.
  We all sympathize with our colleague, the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Hunter), for he was one of the victims of this devastating fire. 
He exemplifies the thousands of families whose homes were leveled. He 
celebrates the resilience of families whom we heard over and over again 
say, We will rebuild.
  I am proud to welcome every member of the California congressional 
delegation as cosponsors of this bill, as well as Members from around 
the country, including those States which sent firefighters to help.
  As I had an opportunity to visit the burned-out communities, streets, 
and neighborhoods of San Diego City and County, I was struck by the 
velocity of this fire storm. In the community of Scripps Ranch, the 
eucalyptus trees did not burn. The fire moved so quickly that the trees 
did not ignite, yet almost every home on several streets on the ground 
turned to ash.
  As I toured in a helicopter, I was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude 
of the 280,000 acres in San Diego that burned and the capriciousness of 
the fire that leveled 2,232 residences while, in some places, 
neighboring houses remained standing.
  Yet, the mission of the firefighters was clear: saving lives first 
and then property. That is what they did; that is what they always do. 
They were joined by law enforcement, who handled the evacuation of tens 
of thousands of families.
  This bill is just a small way to say thank you, thank you to people 
whose

[[Page H10379]]

bravery, whose courage and perseverance went so far beyond the 
ordinary.
  Many of my colleagues have read the individual events and acts of 
heroism. I know I join with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Woolsey) in honoring the firefighter from her district, Steven Rucker, 
who volunteered to go to San Diego along with thousands of firefighters 
from throughout the State and the country and gave the ultimate 
sacrifice of his life. We remember also his colleagues who remain 
seriously burned from the fire that swiftly overran their position.
  In addition, we have read of numerous, just numerous unnamed 
firefighters who performed way beyond their own safety. Responding to a 
911 call, firefighters, choking from the smoke, entered a home to find 
an elderly woman. When they pulled her to safety, she told them that 
her husband was still inside the house. It took three attempts to enter 
the burning home to find him. He was trying to move in his walker 
toward safety. And then they brought him out and worked to get the 
couple air-lifted to a hospital.
  We learned of firefighters overcome with frustration and sadness in 
the early-morning darkness when the fast-moving blazes prevented them 
from reaching secluded homes to warn the residents and to try to help 
them escape. Four of the residents of one community died. There were 22 
fire-related deaths in Southern California, and we join in expressing 
our condolences to their families for their losses.
  The stories, I say to my colleagues, are legion, and all San Diegans 
hold great appreciation for the dedication of the Julian firefighters 
who, with so much determination, saved the historic mining town that is 
home to all of our fantasies of the world's best apple pies. So 
dedicated were they that many of them lost their own homes on the 
neighboring hillsides while protecting the village. I talked to a 
firefighter who saved many homes, only to learn that his own home was 
taken by the firestorm.
  The simultaneous fires throughout Southern California put extreme 
stress, not only on the resources that we are all committed to share in 
mutual response, but in overwhelming all of those resources. The 
coordination of so many agencies and equipment was indeed a critical, 
critical effort.
  We thank, in particular, the firefighters from Northern California, 
the central valley, and neighboring States. I saw fire trucks lined up 
not only from Novato and Milpitas, but also from Fresno and Sacramento, 
from Arizona and Nevada, all different colors of firefighting 
equipment. It was impressive, and we knew of their efforts.
  We are proud of our servicemen and women who are at the ready to 
offer their support and to supply backup resources to meet this 
implacable foe.
  There is another whole story of neighbors helping neighbors, 
strangers helping the tens of thousands of evacuees, and the dominant 
spirit of victims who have committed their will to rebuild.
  There will be many, many days to contemplate the lessons from this 
tragedy and many will be focusing on lessons learned. San Diego has 
learned much about the preparation, coordination, and effort needed to 
be prepared to respond to seasonal fires, as well as homeland security 
threats. We will have much to offer, I believe, our country in that 
search for answers.
  But today, we have one very simple message: from the bottom of our 
hearts, we thank each and every one of you, the firefighters.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her introduction 
of this legislation, and I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, we always seem to find the words to express 
our gratitude for heroes, and today I rise in strong support for H.R. 
425, a resolution to recognize those heroes, honor the brave men and 
women who responded to the horrendous wildfires that plagued Southern 
California last month.
  While we all recognize that hundreds of first responders from the 
State of California bravely risked their lives to fight these 
wildfires, many Americans were less aware that hundreds of Nevada's 
first responders were also enlisted in this fight. In fact, during the 
course of this deadly natural disaster, the State of Nevada deployed 
over 450 brave Americans to Southern California to join our neighbors 
in this effort to quell this deadly natural disaster. These Nevadans 
included dozens of firefighters, paramedics, and highly skilled 
mechanics.
  Northern Nevada-based crews from the United States Forest Service and 
the Bureau of Land Management, along with engine crews from the Nevada 
Division of Forestry, Reno, Sparks, Storey County, Elko County, and 
North Lake Fire Protection District, were dispatched on October 27 to 
fight the Southern California fires. Two strike teams composed of 
firefighters from Las Vegas, Clark County, Henderson, Pahrump, the 
Nevada Test Site and the Naval Air Station at Fallon drove by personal 
car to offer their support to a base camp in Santee.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this resolution. The brave first responders from all over 
the western States and Nevada have earned this honor, and I am pleased 
to recognize their selfless efforts today.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 
minutes to the sensitive Democratic leader, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi).
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time and my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), 
for allowing me to speak out of turn here.
  I want to commend my colleagues from California, (Chairman Hunter) 
and (Mrs. Davis), for bringing this resolution to the floor, enabling 
Members of Congress to express our appreciation for the brave service 
of the firefighters in our great State of California. These 
firefighters battled 17 wildfires over the course of more than a week, 
saving countless lives and protecting us in this great natural 
disaster. I want to join with my California colleagues in offering my 
praise, respect, and admiration for the heroic men and women who put 
their lives at risk under extremely hazardous conditions to contain 
this disaster and minimize the damage to land, homes, and businesses in 
Southern California.
  During our debate last week on another piece of legislation, I 
conveyed my condolences to all of our colleagues who had lost lives and 
families who had lost their homes in Southern California. I especially 
wanted to express concern to our distinguished chairman, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Hunter), for the loss of his home in the fire, and 
hope that his family will be made whole, as well as all of the families 
of the region affected.
  The tales of these firefighters, Mr. Speaker, are tales of bravery 
and sacrifice. We mourn the loss of the gentlewoman from California's 
(Ms. Woolsey) constituent, Marin County firefighter Steven Rucker, who 
made the ultimate sacrifice. We all extend our sympathy to his family 
at home and his friends at the firehouse.

                              {time}  1330

  In San Diego County, represented by my colleague, the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Davis), who I acknowledged earlier for her 
leadership, as well as by the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) 
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) and others, a number 
of volunteer firefighters have sacrificed their own homes while 
battling the blazes to preserve the homes of others in their 
communities.
  I would also like to commend the efforts of the 72 members of the San 
Francisco Fire Department who were quick to join the strike teams to 
assist our neighbors to the south. These devastating fires have burned 
almost 750,000 acres, caused the death of 22 of our fellow 
Californians, and destroyed more than 3,500 homes. It is almost 
inconceivable.
  As we prepare to help families and communities recover from 
devastation and loss, we recognize without the tireless and heroic 
efforts of thousands of firefighters, our losses could have been much 
greater. We salute their bravery, their heroism, and the decisions they 
make every day to risk their own safety even to protect the safety of 
others. I might add we commend and salute their families, their 
courageous families.
  I commend my colleagues, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) 
and the gentleman from California (Mr.

[[Page H10380]]

Hunter). I also want to, once again, acknowledge the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey) who has so sensitively dealt with the loss of 
her constituent Steven Rucker. And we all acknowledge the debt we owe 
to California's bravest for their successful efforts to contain these 
massive fires.
  Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
for his leadership and for yielding time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McKeon).
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) for yielding the time. I want to thank the 
gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter) and the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) for their support and their bringing this 
legislation before us, as has already been mentioned.
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) lost his home. I know he 
has been handling it a whole lot better than I would.
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to express my heartfelt support for this 
bill, House Resolution 425, which honors the courageous firefighters 
and other emergency service persons who so tirelessly fought the 
devastating wildfires of southern California.
  Over the past couple of weeks, more than 14,000 firefighters from 
five States have taken to the front lines in this wildfire, selflessly 
risking their lives for the protection of their fellow Americans. These 
ongoing fires have ravaged almost 750,000 acres, destroyed over 3,500 
homes, and resulted in the loss of 22 lives, including the life of a 
young firefighter by the same of Steven L. Rucker, an engineer from the 
Novato Fire District.
  On October 29, 2003, Engineer Rucker made the ultimate sacrifice for 
his fellow man while defending a home in the Cedar Fire incident in San 
Diego County. It is the bravery of Firefighter Rucker and other heroes 
like him in the Los Angeles County Fire Department who saved my 
district and the lives and property of my neighbors, friends, and 
families in the Stevenson Ranch and Sunset Point areas of the Santa 
Clarita Valley, where the fire literally came within feet of their 
homes.
  My community was spared from major devastation as a result of the 
efforts of our firefighters from the Nation, from the county and from 
the areas surrounding, as well as the efforts of the Armed Services and 
other emergency personnel who came to the rescue.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents from the 25th District of 
California, I express my deep gratitude to our firefighters for their 
continued bravery and valor in fighting this wildfire and urge my 
colleagues to unanimously adopt this resolution.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) for organizing today's effort. And I rise to support H. Res. 425 
and to honor the memory of firefighter Steve Rucker, a resident of 
Novato, California, and to wish the speedy recovery of three other 
Novato firefighters, Captain Doug McDonald, Shawn Kreps, and Barrett 
Smith. These four men were among the dozens of firefighters from my 
district who sped to southern California to fight the recent fires, 
fires that burned hundreds of thousands of acres.
  The day before yesterday, I stood alongside Steve's colleagues, 
firefighters, and police officers and watched the mile-long precession 
that carried his casket from the airport in Santa Rosa to his beloved 
city of Novato. My heart was filled with emotion as I watched the great 
sadness this community felt, the sadness and the grief that come with 
the death from within the family. But lingering in this grief, there 
was also pride, pride in recalling the time and heroism of one of their 
own, these four firefighters served the Novato Fire Protection 
District.
  Novato is a prosperous place, a family town that touches San 
Francisco Bay and reaches into the golden coastal hills. But the warm 
sun of Indian summer never lulls Novato firefighters. They know that 
the days before the rains come are the most dangerous times of the 
year. They also know that firefighters throughout the State are members 
of a large community and when help is needed anywhere, they are honored 
to help.
  So it was with that and without any contractual obligation but out of 
compassion and comradeship that Shawn Kreps drove Novato fire engine 
6162 all night a week ago Monday to join the fire lines at the Cedar 
fire, more than 400 miles from Novato. And so it was that Steve Rucker, 
Doug McDonald, Shawn Kreps, and Barrett Smith found themselves 
Wednesday on a back road, 5 miles from the rural village of Julian, 
fighting to protect a scattering of homes.
  Fire can be a fierce and swift enemy, and when flames suddenly 
threatened to engulf the men, all they could do is run for their lives. 
Steve Rucker did not make it. Apparently the intense heat of the fire 
seared his lungs. And when Captain McDonald went out to look for his 
friend, he was critically burned. Fortunately, Kreps and Smith suffered 
minor injuries, and I expect they will have many fires to fight in the 
future. Captain McDonald, however, remains hospitalized with serious 
burns, the wounds of a hero, and my prayers go out to him and his 
family.
  It was too soon for 38-year-old Steve Rucker to leave this earth. He 
left behind a loving wife, Cathy, a 7-year-old daughter Kerstin, and a 
3-year-old son Wesley, in a home he had just built. His friends in the 
department knew Steve as ``The Ruckster,'' a cheerful, enthusiastic man 
ready to joke, ready to laugh, a man they could counted on to be a calm 
and competent firefighter and paramedic. A man who loved his job. He 
was, according to his friends and colleagues, a firefighter's 
firefighter.
  In fact, they told me just the other day that Steve was the ``go-to 
guy'' during times of tragedy like now, and that his loss was felt even 
greater because they really needed him to help them get through their 
pain. Twelve thousand firefighters battled the flames that threatened 
to burn from southern California to the Pacific Ocean. Steve Rucker was 
the only firefighter to die in this historical battle. In this, he 
receives a measure of immortality. He also stands for all of those 
brave men and women who unselfishly risked their lives to save others, 
whether facing a wall of flames on a rural back road or the billowing 
smoke of the World Trade Center.
  Mr. Speaker, Steve Rucker was an irreplaceable man, but his family 
must go on without him. I wish them consolation in knowing that this 
man, son, husband, father, died giving the gift of himself.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter).
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time, and I want to thank my colleagues for cosponsoring this 
resolution and for the initiative of the gentlewoman from California 
(Mrs. Davis) on this resolution.
  And, Mr. Speaker, I thought I would lead off simply by reading the 
names of the people who lost their lives in this fire. Steven Rucker, 
Galen Blacklidge, Christy-Anne Seiler Davis, Edward Downs, Nancy 
Morphew, Mary Peace, Asleigh Roach, Stephen Shacklett, James Shohara, 
Solange Shohara, Randy Shohara, Robin Sloan, Jennifer Sloan, Ralph 
Westy, Charles Cunningham, James McDermith, Chad Williams, Gene 
Knowles. And there are some other names which have not yet been 
released, and we will recount them when they are released.
  Mr. Speaker, this was a time of enormous disaster and tragedy for our 
colleagues and for our neighbors and friends who lived in our 
communities who have lost so much, some who have lost their lives. It 
is also a time of great heroism. And I was reminded as the stories came 
in of the firefighters and the valiant stands that they were making as 
they were trying to keep these fires from advancing into our 
neighborhoods. I was reminded that all the heroism that is displayed by 
uniformed services in this country are not just being displayed on the 
battlefields of the Middle East, but rather in these battles that we 
undertake in the West, especially all over the country, but for some 
reason during this season in the West and those Santa Ana winds come 
up, those battles are to protect our communities against fire.

[[Page H10381]]

  And it was very moving to be out yesterday and the day before when we 
carried the body of Steve Rucker, who was the Novato firefighter who 
has been so eloquently described by my colleagues, when we carried his 
body to the C-130 to take him home. And I rode in the procession with 
Maureen McDonald, who is the wife of Doug McDonald, who was Steven's 
partner, who also was caught by this fire, and who was burned over 30 
percent of his body and is currently doing well in San Diego in the 
hospital.
  And I was taken by the great bravery and the eloquence of this lady, 
this Maureen McDonald whose own husband was in very difficult 
condition, but who was focusing all of her attention on the Rucker 
family. When I asked her to talk a little bit about how she had gotten 
to know the Ruckers, she said something that will always stick with me: 
She said, ``I met them in the glow of the birth of their first child.'' 
So she had met them right after they had that first baby, and that was 
Kerstin, who now is some 7 years old, Wesley is now 2. But for me that 
personalized this fire.
  And this country enjoys not only great freedoms, but a wonderful, 
wonderful way of life. I mean, every part of this country has great 
charm, but for us in California, most of us can go to the ocean fairly 
easily, fairly quickly, one can go to the desert within a couple miles 
from almost any part of southern California, one can go to the 
mountains, those great, beautiful mountains. You can raise your family 
in these wonderful, wonderful surroundings. And yet we have some 
dangers and some tragedies that we are protected from by those people 
that wear the uniform of the various firefighting units and 
communities.
  And I noticed as Steve Rucker's body was being carried to the C-130 
that that community is one community as they all lined up. It was 
indeed seamless. There were not individual areas or districts 
represented. They were all firefighters. They were all people who gave 
so much so that we might have this great wonderful life that we enjoy 
in California and other places.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I saw the coming together of the firefighters, all 
these units they came in to honor Steve Rucker. And also it was good to 
see the President come out with the outgoing Governor of California, 
Gray Davis, stand side by side with him and the incoming Governor, Mr. 
Schwarzenegger, and to see them all together after some heavy duty 
political arm wrestling to all unite in common cause. And the common 
cause was to thank the people that wear firefighting uniforms.
  I think that the language of the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Davis) in this resolution very eloquently expresses that, and, 
certainly, I want to thank her and everyone who participated in putting 
this resolution together.

                              {time}  1345

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me time. I would like to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Davis), and also the gentleman from Connecticut 
(Mr. Shays), for bringing forth this resolution that is just so timely. 
To my colleague and friend who just spoke, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter), our best regards to him because we know that 
his district was extremely devastated, including the loss of his home; 
and we are with him on whatever he needs us to be with him on.
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in support of H. Res. 425. As a 
Representative from Southern California and a resident of Los Angeles 
County, I want to thank those brave men and women who are firefighters 
and public servants who have worked so hard to put out those fires that 
have devastated Southern California. They are truly our heroes. We 
thank them so much.
  As I stand here today, our firefighters continue to make excellent 
progress towards containing four major fires involving over 271,000 
acres of State, Federal, and private lands. Three of these fires 
involve national forest lands. Six other fires totaling an additional 
473,778 acres have been contained. Three more fires are expected to be 
fully contained by the end of the week.
  The devastation of these wild fires in Southern California is 
unprecedented, Mr. Speaker. To date, the Forest Service wild fire cost 
is $45 million. The total cost of wild fires is $92 million, which 
represents all fires both contained and active.
  I look forward to working with Congress and with the administration, 
and we thank the President for being out there this week to look at the 
devastation and to continue to provide more emergency relief to 
California in the near future. We will work together to get our State, 
our region, and our citizens back on their feet.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Cunningham).
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, this body should be proud. The 
California delegation, Republicans, Democrats, united. There were no 
party lines. There were no district lines in California. Members whose 
districts were not even affected called to help and offered concern.
  The day before yesterday, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Davis), the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa), and myself went through 10 town hall meetings 
with FEMA, Red Cross, SPA and other government agencies. We witnessed 
in some cases firefighters who had fought fires, saving other people's 
homes while their own homes burned down.
  I witnessed people at each of these emergency centers that had 
actually lost their homes, and they were volunteering at those centers 
to help other people that had lost their homes and things. The events 
of 9-11 showed that people do come together, and it did so in the State 
of California also.
  In Lake Wolford we saw the sight of a young girl, her brother was 
driving a car, overcome by smoke, crashed the car and she died a 
horrible death in front of the firefighters that could not get to her 
to save her life.
  We honor our firefighters. We lost 23 firefighters in 2003. We lost a 
firefighter, Steven Rucker, in this fight. Captain Doug McDonald its 
fighting for his life with over 18 percent of his body burned.
  If you really want to help our firefighters, if you really want to 
pay them homage, there are some things we can do. We are putting in the 
defense bill that there are strange laws where Federal tankers cannot 
get airborne. They could be there fully loaded with water and 
chemicals, and they cannot touch the fire if State and local funds have 
not maxed out. We are changing that, and we are asking for this body's 
help to do that.
  Firefighters for years have asked for us to put more roads in our 
forests, not just to have access to the fire, but so that they can get 
out. We lost 15 firefighters in Colorado because they could not get out 
of the fire. They did not have a road to come through. But yet we have 
been stopped from doing that by some people in this body and the other 
body.
  The bark beetle, we asked to be able to cut the dead wood and the 
trees, and not to cut just the dead wood but to cut wherever the bark 
beetles are. And that same group stopped us from doing that. In Julian, 
we lost most of Julian because of bark beetle trees and the fuel. The 
firefighters could not get to it.
  We also have for a decade been wanting to take care and thin brush 
out. For a decade. We have dead brush piled on dead brush every year, 
and we want to thin it; but we cannot do it because of a bird called a 
gnat catcher and the desert tortoise and those things. Well, I ask this 
body, how many of the endangered species do we have today? They are all 
burned up.
  Can you imagine what the winter rains are going to do with the mud 
and erosion in our lakes and streams? Those who stopped us from doing 
that are responsible for the aftermath that we are going through right 
now.
  So we can make those changes, ladies and gentlemen. Honor the 
firefighters and give them what they need.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no greater gift that one can give than his or 
her own life. There is no greater service than

[[Page H10382]]

one can provide than looking after the needs of others while neglecting 
those of your own. I urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa).
  (Mr. Issa asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, my colleague who just spoke, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Cunningham), spoke from the heart and from years 
of experience in this body. In Congress talk is cheap.
  This resolution splendidly lays out our feelings as a body for the 
brave and courageous acts of firefighters during this statewide fire 
emergency. As the firestorms spread throughout California at a rate 
never before seen, we became acutely aware of just how much we depend 
on the brave men and women who come from all over the country to fight 
our wild fires. But here today as we speak in such kind words of Steven 
Rucker, and we talk about his important contribution and we talk about 
the loss of 22 innocent people, it is certainly my profound wish and my 
dedication here that they not die in vain. And although these losses of 
life seem senseless today, they will be even more senseless if a year 
from now we have more wild fires with more build-up of fuel that could 
have been cleared away if the President's Healthy Forest Initiative 
which has now been passed by both of our bodies does not, in fact, 
become law.
  If we talk profoundly and then our actions are hollow, then talk is 
cheap. So I ask this body here today in the passing of this resolution, 
a very appropriate one, to cast your vote not just for this resolution 
but to have this resolution have meaning a year from now. A year from 
now someone probably will die, but if fewer die because we acted 
between now and then to streamline firefighting, yes, to facilitate the 
dollars necessary to clear underbrush and fuel that has been building 
up but also to work on the core cause of that fuel building up, the 
fact that America has not managed its forests properly, the President 
laid down a marker asking us to produce a bill to manage forests, we 
have done so. Once conferenced and becoming law, we would begin the 
process of giving meaning to these firefighters' selfless acts by 
ensuring that in years to come there will be for the first time in a 
generation fewer wild fires rather than more.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 425, recognizing and 
honoring the firefighters and public servants who responded to the 
October, 2003 wildfires in California.
  The fires of the past 2 weeks have ravaged the southern California 
landscape, consuming over 746,000 acres and destroying 3,587 homes. The 
fires have also claimed the lives of at least 22 in San Diego County. 
The sense of loss and devastation that is felt by many of my 
constituents and other residents of southern California cannot be 
overstated. The scope of these fires, in terms of lives lost and 
property damaged, was beyond comparison to anything we have experienced 
in recent memory. These events were truly a catastrophe, and we mourn 
with those who have suffered loss.
  But I also want to take this opportunity to honor the thousands of 
men and women who put themselves in harm's way to fight the fires and 
provide emergency humanitarian assistance to people in need. Over 
14,000 firefighters from five different states participated in the 
firefighting effort. This was particularly dangerous duty, with 
firefighters confronting quickly-moving wind-driven blazes. 
Firefighters exhibited resilience and courage, often working back-to-
back shifts on the front lines while knowing that, in some cases, their 
own homes were threatened.
  I am particularly proud of the incredible effort made by firefighters 
to save the town of Julian in my district. Early last week, the Cedar 
Fire, which eventually destroyed nearly 300,000 acres and more than 
2,200 homes, was burning a direct path toward Julian. It looked like 
the town would be completely destroyed. Through an incredibly heroic 
effort, firefighters were able to save the town and the lives of dozens 
of people who were trapped by the fires.
  One of these firefighters was Steven Rucker of Marin County. He was 
battling a part of the Cedar Fire that was dangerously approaching the 
outskirts of Julian, when his crew was entrapped by a wind-driven 
blaze. The fire moved so quickly they were not able to reach their 
engine before becoming engulfed in the flames. Three of his colleagues, 
Captain Doug McDonald, Shawn Kreps, and Barret Smith were seriously 
injured in the incident. These men will be remembered as heroes. Their 
resolve, in the face of extreme danger, is a testament to the fine men 
and women we have serving us in fire departments throughout California 
and its neighboring states.
  I also want to honor the thousands of men and women who have assisted 
with the relief and support effort these past 2 weeks. Private non-
profit charities, public emergency organizations like the Red Cross and 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, local and state law 
enforcement agencies, emergency medical teams, as well as thousands of 
community volunteers have all extended themselves to bring critical 
relief to those who were in the greatest need. These efforts saved 
lives and brought comfort to those who had lost property. We would be 
in a much more difficult situation without them.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H. Res. 425, which 
honors the brave men and women who stood in the face of danger and 
saved the lives and property of so many. We owe these heroes a debt of 
gratitude. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The gentleman from Connecticut 
has 4 minutes remaining.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me time.
  My colleague, the gentlewoman from San Diego, California (Mrs. 
Davis), I appreciate her helping with this very important recognition 
of a group of our citizens that have given everything we could ask in 
order to protect our community.
  Many do not know that my district, which includes the San Bernardino 
National Forest, was as dramatically impacted by this fire as any in 
the country or any in California. The San Bernardino National Forest 
has been in desperate condition for some time, in no small part because 
of serious management problems we have experienced in recent years; 
also in no small part because of a series of years of serious drought 
that has allowed the ever-present bark beetle to kind of have its way 
with our forests. And presently there are literally millions of trees 
standing tall, but which are dead.
  It looks like fall time here in the East, but in our forests it is 
not fall at all. Instead the trees are yellow because they have died. 
Indeed, we cannot control that piece of nature; but on Saturday I had 
the occasion to travel with the Under Secretary who is responsible for 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He is the Under Secretary with 
homeland defense responsibilities.
  As we flew over the forest, there were two things that were very 
obvious to both of us. The first was that where fire has effectively 
taken place, the erosion that is bound to take place as soon as the 
rains start to fall will be a tremendous challenge--to see the Earth 
move as a result of those rainfalls in the future. It is going to have 
a huge effect upon our ability to rebuild the forest. But the other 
factor that was a stark reality was that at least three-quarters of 
those trees we were so worried about which were standing dead are still 
standing. Many of those trees were not caught up in the fire, and they 
are indeed a fire looking for somewhere in the future to happen.
  Both the Under Secretary and I immediately saw the challenges that 
lie before us. Indeed, I would like to spend just a moment expressing 
my deep appreciation for a community that was ready, for they saw on 
the horizon this huge challenge that was facing the San Bernardino 
National Forest.
  The firefighters, the law enforcement officers, citizens from the 
community for months came together learning more and more about the 
challenge that lay ahead. The Lord gave us a fire about 6 weeks before 
this big one, and that fire caused us to recognize that it could really 
happen. In that case, we actually had some 600 people leave their homes 
in order to protect their own lives. Very quickly it became obvious 
that real fire, of a nature that we had not seen for perhaps 20 years, 
was about to take place. And so our people got ready.
  Community leaders in every city and town throughout the mountains 
recognized that we were in this together and

[[Page H10383]]

their preparations saved many a life. There is little doubt that the 
combination of our firefighters, law enforcement officers, and those 
citizens themselves made all the difference. We are grateful for their 
recognizing this crisis and being ready to respond.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and majority leaders on 
both sides. I stand in support of this resolution, H. Res. 425.

                              {time}  1400

  I went out there with the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), and 
we saw many of the firefighters who were willing to stand up and fight 
for us. We saw the devastation in our immediate area, but one really 
cannot explain what happens when a person is willing to go on the 
battle line.
  Many of these men and women were willing to fight for us, when all of 
us are willing to witness what happens right now, and we saw the fires 
that are going on, but these men and women continued to go back into 
the battle because they knew what it meant to save that particular home 
or save that forest or save our immediate areas in terms of our 
communities.
  I know that my son, Joe Baca, Jr., and I and the highway patrol went 
directly into the fires and saw some of these homes that were burning, 
and we saw the firefighters that were willing to fight the fight. They 
did not ask any questions, but these men and women continued to be 
brave and continued to work on behalf of us.
  I stand in support of this resolution. I commend both sides for 
coming up and honoring these men and women who are heroes and continue 
to fight in our behalf, and we need to continue to support individuals 
that are willing to stand on the line for us.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 425, a 
resolution honoring and commemorating the heroic efforts of the 
firefighters who fought to save lives and property. These firefighters 
exhibited resilience and courage, continuing to stay on the lines, 
often in back-to-back shifts and, in some instances, knowing that their 
own families were in danger or that their personal homes had been lost.
  The fires that swept across Southern California tested our resolve. 
All of us in the fire's path were forced to wrestle with the magnitude 
of the destructive force bearing down on our neighborhoods. Clearly, we 
owe a huge debt of gratitude to the brave firefighters who met this 
huge obstacle head on, and I think all of us were impressed by the 
outpouring of compassion in our communities as neighbors helped 
neighbors, and strangers came to the aid of those they had never met.
  I have made a commitment to my constituents to fight for our 
neighbors as we begin the difficult process of rebuilding. I will be a 
vocal advocate in Washington for the necessary federal assistance being 
made available so our neighbors can begin to put their lives back 
together. Just yesterday, I took part in meetings with the President of 
the United States when he visited San Diego to tour the fire damage, 
telling him that our people need all the resources of the federal 
government marshaled for their support over the upcoming weeks and 
months. There will be questions that need to be answered about what 
preparations were made to combat a fire of this magnitude in our 
region, and I will not pull punches in getting to the bottom of any 
culpability that could have hampered our ability to stop this fire.
  In addition to co-sponsoring this important legislation, I have co-
sponsored two other important fire related bills. H.R. 3407, the 
California FIRE Act, to provide $500 million in immediate disaster 
relief to the victims of the California fires, and H.R. 3431, the 
Firefighters Medical Monitoring Act, to keep track of the health of the 
California firefighters after the fires are extinguished. We must 
ensure that the firefighters who put their lives at risk do not become 
ill following the fires. I recently voted in favor of the Supplemental 
Appropriations bill because of the terrible suffering and devastation 
endured by the citizens of San Diego County as a result of the 
firestorm, $500 million was added for Federal Emergency Management 
Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance in California. Last week, I contacted 
FEMA Director Michael Brown and President Bush, urging them to make a 
FEMA center operational immediately in San Diego, to help my 
constituents in processing the necessary paperwork to begin the process 
of rebuilding their lives. This important funding will allow FEMA to 
open one-stop clearinghouses for information and assistance in 
expediting the huge volume of disaster claims that will result from 
this tragedy.
  I know, in a very personal way, the suffering of San Diegans in the 
recent firestorm and because I want to say ``thank you'' to the 
thousands of professional firefighters who exhibited so much bravery 
and courage in recent days, I support this important bill.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for House Resolution 425, which recognizes and honors the firefighters 
and other public servants who responded to the devastating wildfires in 
Southern California which began last month. I commend Congressman 
Duncan Hunter and Congresswoman Susan Davis for their work on 
recognizing these heroic efforts.
  More than 14,000 firefighters from five different states were called 
upon to fight these fires. Those on the fire lines continue to make 
excellent progress toward full containment, which in the course of the 
past three weeks, consumed over 745,000 acres, destroyed over 3,500 
homes, and took the lives of twenty-two individuals.
  Among those lives lost was firefighter Steven L. Rucker, who died in 
the line of duty on Wednesday, October 29, 2003, battling the Cedar 
Fire in San Diego County. Steve, just 38 years old, was an 11 year 
veteran of Novato Fire District. He is survived by his wife and two 
children. This tragic loss, as well as the hard battle the firefighters 
are still engaged in, is why we come to the House Floor today.
  It is devastating to hear the numbers of people lost, homes gone, and 
communities that are faced with rebuilding. However, by far greater 
numbers are the people saved, homes protected, and communities 
sheltered by the tireless efforts of firefighters. I also want to take 
this time to recognize all the volunteers who are working at the 
various shelters, many of whom lost their own homes in these fires.
  And while we still look forward to full containment of the fires that 
have burned in five counties in Southern California, we are already 
working toward rebuilding, mitigating for potential mudslides and 
erosion during the rainy season, and looking at every opportunity to 
prevent another disaster of this magnitude. The firefighters are aided 
in this by support from a number of federal agencies including the U.S. 
Forest Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small 
Business Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
  We are resolved, in remembering Steve Rucker and the other fire 
victims, as well as in sharing the devastation with those who lost 
their homes and businesses, to do all we can to ensure the expedited 
delivery of federal disaster assistance dollars, to coordinate with 
federal, state, and local agencies to assist in the recovery effort, 
and most importantly, to engage in preventing further damage from 
potentially damaging winter storms.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this resolution today.
  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 425, a 
bill recognizing and honoring the firefighters and other public 
servants who responded to the October 2003, historically devastating, 
outbreak of wildfires in Southern California.
  Whether it be the tragic day of September 11, 2001 or a single 
structure fire in town, it is the brave firefighter who rushes in when 
others rush out. It is only fitting then, that we take time to honor 
these brave men and women who took on the flames that wrecked so much 
damage in Southern California.
  The 45th Congressional District lost twenty-one homes. But I believe 
if it were not for the valiant efforts of those individuals who risked 
their lives to battle this blaze, the devastation could have been even 
worse.
  Sadly, we lost Steve Rucker, a 38-year-old fire engineer from the 
Novato Fire Protection District near San Francisco. Steve, a husband 
and father, stood up to this fire while hundreds of miles away from his 
home. The amazing thing is that Steve, and the thousands of other 
firefighters, fought these flames as if they were threatening their own 
homes and families. It was a battle fought as much with the heart as 
anything else.
  It certainly takes a special kind of spirit to serve as a 
firefighter. I know many of these individuals knew this was their 
calling from the earliest of ages--probably after seeing a bright red 
fire truck make its way down the street. But from those childhood 
dreams grew the reality that this job was fraught with danger. Yet 
still, these men and women pursue with vigor the job that captivated 
them so many years ago. They work so very hard at protecting us and our 
homes.
  I am also grateful to those in the Red Cross and hundreds of other 
volunteers who spent their time and efforts comforting the victims of 
this disaster. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose one's home, but 
how much more tragic would it have been to have nowhere to go and no 
one to help. But at this time, strangers turned into family and all 
that is good about human spirit rose above this disaster.

[[Page H10384]]

  Californians are full of courage and do not weaken in the face of 
adversity. The will to rebuild took root even in the darkest of hours. 
But if not for our firefighters and volunteers, keeping such faith 
would have been much more difficult.
  On behalf of the constituents of the 45th Congressional District of 
California, I want to thank these individuals for their tireless 
efforts and extreme bravery during our time of need.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
each and every firefighter and citizen whose dedication to our 
communities and families of Southern California again demonstrated 
exceptional spirit and strength in a time of disaster. Our nation is 
fortunate to have dedicated citizens who willingly and unselfishly give 
their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live 
and work. Our firefighters confronted the unprecedented fires which 
swept through our region with unwavering courage. They exemplify 
community leadership. I was fortunate enough to accompany President 
Bush yesterday as he thanked these spirited public servants and talked 
to the victims and survivors of the Southern California fires.
  Without the dedication and tireless passion of our Firefighters and 
public servants there would have been even more extensive destruction 
of property and devastation of lives above and beyond the 3,300 homes 
and 4,000 other structures destroyed and hundreds of thousands of acres 
burned. Our Firefighters fought and finally brought under control these 
devastating wildfires and continue in aiding the victims left homeless 
in the wake of the destruction.
  I know I speak for all the people from California's 44th district 
when I say that our thoughts and prayers have been with the 
firefighters as they worked vigorously to contain and control the 
wildfires. Laboring day and night in extreme conditions, the 
firefighters that responded to the Southern California wildfires will 
always have our nation's respect for their dedication to their 
profession. There is no better example for Americans than those who 
stare down adversity and meet every challenge with true conviction, 
just as the firefighters have done during this very difficult time.
  While the firefighter worked tirelessly on the front lines of the 
fires, the support personnel that were tasked with an overwhelming job 
of reconstruction and recovery are equally honored for their efforts. 
Often it is the aftermath of a crisis that brings the most arduous 
challenges. The dedicated public servants that have come to the aid of 
their victims of the Southern California wildfires are to be commended 
for their ongoing contributions. Law enforcement, medical personnel, 
emergency responders, and community leaders have all come together to 
complete a daunting task; recovering from the loss of loved ones and 
property, and rebuilding in the aftermath.
  I am proud to cosponsor H. Res. 425, recognizing and honoring the 
firefighters and public servants who responded to the October 2003 
Southern California wildfires. I am sincerely grateful for the 
leadership and sacrifice firefighters and their families endure in 
order to secure property and protect our lives. As a native Southern 
Californian I know that our communities will persevere through this 
tragedy and successfully rebuild our beloved homes and families. We all 
stand ready to help in any way I can.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support House Resolution 425 
honoring the heroic efforts of the firefighters and safety personnel 
who responded so bravely to the devastating outbreak of wildfires in 
Southern California.
  At the peak of the blazes, more than 14,000 firefighters from across 
California and several other Western states were deployed over hundreds 
of miles in an arc around Los Angeles and into San Diego County as far 
south as the Mexican border.
  These courageous men and women have gone far beyond the call of duty. 
Fighting fires that took the lives of 20 people, destroyed more than 
3,400 homes and scorched more than 750,000 acres since igniting in 
different locations around Southern California nearly two weeks ago, 
they worked around the clock, despite considerable risk to their 
personal safety, in order to ensure the well-being of the nearly 
100,000 evacuated residents.
  And as the evacuated sought safety and shelter, the American Red 
Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and a number of similar 
organizations mobilized hundreds of volunteers to assist in providing 
clothes, food and other essential items to the many who were forced to 
abandon all of their possessions. As the rebuilding process begins, 
these same agencies and organizations will serve as a helping hand to 
too many Southern California residents whose homes have been either 
badly damaged or lost.
  I would like to pay special recognition to the firefighters in my 
California District who were called upon to fight these blazes. 
Coordinated by the Glendale Fire Department, firefighters from my 
District were called to battle one of the very earliest blazes and for 
two weeks after the first blaze, devoted almost every resource in the 
District to assisting in the effort to knock down these fires. I have 
no doubt that their heroic actions saved thousands of lives.
  This is a devastating time for Southern California residents. I send 
my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and to 
the thousands who have lost homes to these fires. It is only then 
appropriate that through the passage of House Resolution 425 we honor 
the actions of the firefighters and safety personnel who prevented the 
additional loss of life and property. I urge all Members to support 
this resolution and pay respect to some of our Nation's bravest heroes.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 425 honoring those who fought the devastating fires that 
have struck Southern California. In particular, I want to mention 
Steven Rucker, 38 years old and the father of two young children, who 
died fighting the Cedar fire, which began on the Cleveland National 
Forest and moved over 25 miles in less than 10 hours. He joins the roll 
of 29 other wildland firefighters who perished this summer across this 
country. Every wildland firefighter who takes up this occupation knows 
that on the next fire, they could face a similar fate.
  Brave men and women choose the profession of firefighting with a keen 
awareness of the dangers inherent in the job. What they do requires 
bravery similar to that required of our armed forces. However, they 
fight a foe that isn't driven by ideology, or religion, or a lust for 
power. Wildfire has none of these motivations, and is something 
altogether more unpredictable as a result. If not for the efforts of 
our firefighters, many more homes and businesses, not just in 
California but across the country, would be lost, and many more 
civilians would have lost their very lives.
  House Resolution 425 focuses on the Southern California fires, which 
are fresh in our memories. However, I think it's important that we 
recognize that wildland firefighters face these dangers in many states 
across the country. Wildland firefighters have died on the fire ground 
in States as diverse as Florida, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, New York, 
Wisconsin, Texas, Louisiana, and Oregon over the last ten years. 
Moreover, when wildfires strike anywhere in the United States, wildland 
firefighters from across the country--Federal, state, and local--
mobilize to defend our forests, our homes, our families, from the 
devastation brought about by catastrophic fire.
  The firefighters who bravely face these infernos also understand 
something that many here in Washington are just beginning to grasp; 
that these wildfires are getting worse because we've tied the hands of 
our Federal land managers and prevented them from addressing hazardous 
fuel buildups. We have a bill that begins to address this issue, and I 
hope we can work with the other body to finish that important work 
soon.
  I am saddened by the loss of life and the destruction of our 
resources that we witnessed in the last weeks. I am humbled by the 
bravery of our wildland firefighters and the tenacity of all our first 
responders without whom the disaster in California would have been far 
worse. I am honored to join my colleagues whose constituents have 
suffered so much in recent weeks in passing this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). All time has expired.
  The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) that the House suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution, H. Res. 425.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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