[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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