[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H601-H602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 80) recognizing the Virginia Fire Chiefs 
Association on the occasion of its 75th anniversary and commending the 
Virginia Fire Chiefs Association for sponsoring annually the Mid-
Atlantic Expo and Symposium, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 80

       Whereas every State in the United States has established a 
     fire chiefs association;
       Whereas fire chiefs associations provide comprehensive and 
     integrated statewide public safety efforts, thereby enhancing 
     the quality of life of American citizens by reducing the 
     effects of fire, medical, and environmental emergencies;
       Whereas all fire chiefs associations serve to provide 
     educational resources to firefighters, facilitate information 
     exchange and regional cooperation between firefighting 
     entities, and provide professional development workshops and 
     training to all statewide and regional firefighters;
       Whereas the mission statements of all fire chiefs 
     associations have continuously broadened beyond the original 
     goals of working for the promotion of fire prevention and 
     protection from and extinguishment of fires to keep pace with 
     the new challenges and demands facing the 21st Century, 
     working in conjunction with the Nation's efforts in securing 
     the homeland;
       Whereas to accommodate the homeland security needs facing 
     the Nation, the mission statements of fire chiefs 
     associations today include facilitating the exchange of 
     regional and national information, organizing annual 
     conferences and symposiums to discuss ways of improving life-
     saving procedures, assisting in research studies, assisting 
     in the development of public education in fire prevention 
     programs, and supporting and encouraging the delivery of 
     prehospital emergency medical services by the fire service to 
     relieve human suffering;
       Whereas the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association serves as a 
     fine example of such a State fire chiefs association, which 
     has recognized the aforementioned needs and broadened its 
     mission to serve not only statewide interests, but regional 
     and national interests;
       Whereas upon realizing the need for regional cooperation 
     toward the advancement of fire service in the United States, 
     the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association established the Mid-
     Atlantic Expo and Symposium, which annually draws from States 
     within the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and which 
     serves to educate firefighters on new techniques; and
       Whereas on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary, the 
     Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, will be once again hosting 
     their annual Mid-Atlantic Expo and Symposium, on February 24, 
     2005: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends all 
     fire chiefs associations on the outstanding service that they 
     provide to the citizens of the United States.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. 
Speaker, House Resolution 80, as amended, commends all State fire 
chiefs associations. Every State in the Union has a fire chiefs 
association.
  These groups provide valuable leadership skills to career and 
volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers and managers of emergency service 
organizations throughout the United States.
  The members are literally on the front lines of the homeland security 
effort, ready to respond in a moment's notice to crisis situations 
anywhere in America. Fire chiefs are unquestionably the world's leaders 
in fire fighting, first response, emergency medical services, natural 
disasters, search and rescue, and many other areas of public safety. 
Their efforts largely go unnoticed, which is why I am so pleased that 
the House is taking time to recognize fire chiefs associations today.
  Mr. Speaker, my thanks go to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode) 
for introducing this resolution. I urge the adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume. Mr. Speaker, every year fires and other emergencies take 
thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars.
  Fire fighters help protect the public against these dangers by 
rapidly responding to a variety of emergencies.
  They are frequently the first emergency personnel at the scene of a 
traffic accident or medical emergency and may be called upon to put out 
a fire, treat injuries, or perform other vital functions. State fire 
chiefs associations serve to provide educational resources to fire 
fighters, to facilitate the exchange of information, to promote 
regional cooperation between firefighting entities and to provide 
professional development workshops and training to all state-wide and 
regional fire fighters.
  These efforts in recent years have been broadened to include 
protecting the homeland. The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association is 
dedicated to promoting excellence in the fire service by providing the 
network of information sharing and opportunities for its diverse 
membership and associated partnerships through education, legislation, 
and technical means.
  The fire chiefs associations help us do our jobs, which is to serve 
and protect the American public. I commend the Illinois Fire Chiefs 
Association and all fire chief associations for their hard work and 
dedication. They function for all of us and in our best interest.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 80, which recognizes the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association on the 
occasion of its 75th anniversary and commends the Virginia Fire Chief's 
Association for being an annual sponsor of the Mid-Atlantic Expo and 
Symposium.
  Fire chiefs throughout the Nation provide decisive leadership that is 
key to the success of America's firefighters and first responders. The 
fire chief's associations in each State play a critical role in 
coordinating this important effort. Their members are literally on the 
front lines of the homeland security effort, ready to

[[Page H602]]

respond in a moment's notice to crisis situations anywhere in America.
  I have been able to witness the firm dedication and guidance the fire 
chiefs in my congressional district have provided. Unfortunately, their 
selfless efforts largely go unnoticed, which is why I am pleased the 
House is taking this opportunity to recognize the Virginia Fire Chiefs 
Association for their great achievements today.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Congressman Virgil Goode of my home State of 
Virginia for introducing this important resolution and urge an ``aye'' 
vote.
  Mr. GOODE. Mr. Speaker, I offer my strong support of passing H. Res. 
80, which honors the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association on reaching their 
75th anniversary and commends them for annually hosting the Mid-
Atlantic Expo and Symposium, and honors all Fire Chiefs Associations 
across the United States of America for their hard work on behalf of 
the all citizens in this country. The Virginia Fire Chiefs Association 
serves as an outstanding model for the importance that fire chiefs 
associations serve in our country, while confronted with new challenges 
facing fire services in ensuring the safety of our citizens and in 
protecting our homeland. I congratulate the Virginia Fire Chiefs 
Association on reaching its 75th Anniversary. I hope that all will vote 
for H. Res. 80, the Virginia Fire Chiefs Resolution, and hope the U.S. 
House of Representatives will support this resolution and pass it 
today.
  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 80, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``A resolution 
commending fire chiefs associations.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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