[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H4688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS

  (Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise this 
morning to salute the brave men and women in my district and around the 
Nation who graciously offer their time, compassion and lifesaving 
skills to fellow citizens in their time of greatest need.
  Volunteer firefighters and rescue squad personnel provide essential 
services to our communities. A Scotland County volunteer, James Rupard, 
recently made me aware of a mileage reimbursement problem that was 
causing a financial burden on our local first responders.
  The Volunteer Emergency Responder Fair Mileage Act seeks to give our 
volunteer emergency first responders a mileage reimbursement for use of 
their personal vehicles that reflects the critical service they 
provide.
  Our volunteer first responders don't have a choice in their driving 
distance when an emergency occurs. They also don't have the luxury of 
choosing times or convenience when duty calls. I feel that raising this 
rate is a way to keep critical volunteers from having undue financial 
hardship, and it reflects the contribution they make to our 
communities.
  I urge my colleagues to support volunteer first responders in their 
districts by cosponsoring the Volunteer Emergency Responder Fair 
Mileage Act.

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