[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.
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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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