[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14461-S14462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVANTS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 265, which was 
introduced earlier today by Senator Boxer.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 265) recognizing and honoring 
     firefighters and other public servants who responded to the 
     devastating outbreak of wildfires in Southern California in 
     October 2003.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table without any intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements related to this matter be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 265) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 265

       Whereas in late October 2003, southern California 
     experienced multiple simultaneous devastating wildfires that 
     destroyed

[[Page S14462]]

     thousands of homes, took many lives, and burned 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 on to man fire 
     lines, first on 1 front 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 by 
     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;
       Whereas 1 firefighter, Steven Rucker, made the ultimate 
     sacrifice by giving his life;
       Whereas the firefighters who were called initially were 
     later assisted by skilled and courageous pilots, who flew 
     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, including 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 the emergency response efforts of 
     California: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and honors all of the firefighters who 
     responded to the devastating outbreak of wildfires in 
     southern California in October 2003;
       (2) recognizes and honors all others, including emergency, 
     law enforcement, and medical personnel, pilots, and members 
     of the Armed Forces, for their important contributions to 
     controlling the wildfires and keeping Californians safe; and
       (3) commends the firefighters and other personnel for 
     dedicated service to the people of California.

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