[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 130 (Thursday, November 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11096-S11097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FAMILY ABDUCTION PREVENTION ACT OF 2005

  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the Judiciary Committee be 
discharged from further consideration of S. 994 and the Senate proceed 
to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 994) to authorize the Attorney General to make 
     grants to improve the ability of State and local governments 
     to prevent the abduction of children by family members, and 
     for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, on October 26, 2006, the Esperanza 
fire engulfed five firefighters dispatched to battle an uncontrollable 
blaze. All five firefighters died as a result.
  Before it was extinguished, the fire consumed more than 40,000 acres 
of the southern California foothills and destroyed more than 30 homes. 
But while the forests will eventually return and the homes will be 
rebuilt, we can never reclaim the lives of our fallen firefighters.
  Today I am cosponsoring a resolution with Senator Boxer to honor the 
firefighters and other public servants who bravely responded to the 
Esperanza fire.
  On November 5, 2006, I delivered a eulogy at the Memorial Service in 
San Bernardino, CA, held in honor of the five firefighters who lost 
their lives in the fire. I believe it is appropriate at this time to 
enter these remarks into the Congressional Record:


[[Page S11097]]


       I'm here to express gratitude to the five brave 
     firefighters who lost their lives in the battle against the 
     Esperanza fire.
       They gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their heroism will not be 
     forgotten and so do their families' sacrifice as well.
       My heart goes out to you, mothers and fathers, sisters and 
     brothers, sons and daughters of the five firefighters who 
     perished from Engine Crew 57: Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, Jess 
     McLean, Jason McKay, Daniel Hoover-Najera, and Pablo Cerda.
       These five men were on the front lines, protecting 
     thousands of lives and tens of thousands of acres, when they 
     were overwhelmed by the fire's flames.
       They are truly heroes.
       Mark Loutzenhiser, Engine Captain, was 43 years old. He had 
     21 years of service as a firefighter. Mark was loved and 
     respected by so many in the Idyllwild community.
       To Maria, I know little can be said that mutes grief and 
     overwhelming loss with one exception--five beautiful 
     children--Mark and Maria's enduring legacy.
       To your five children, Jacob, Teesha, Savannah, and the 
     twins Kyle and Seth, I say this: Your dad was a true hero. He 
     was a coach, a mentor, a friend. He is great in all our eyes.
       And to Mark's parents, Russ and Polly: You can be so proud 
     of his contributions. He made a difference. He leaves a 
     legacy: a grateful community--a wife--five children.
       Jess McLean, Fire Engine Operator, was 27 years old. He had 
     seven years of experience.
       To his mother, Cecilia: Jess was a thoughtful young man, a 
     model son. I am so sorry for your loss.
       Jess's wife, Karen: You were married just three years ago. 
     But those three years are packed with memories, dreams shared 
     and you will find new strength because of these years.
       Jason McKay, Assistant Fire Engine Operator, 27 years old. 
     He had five years of Forest Service experience.
       To Bonnie McKay, Jason's mother, you know that Jason lived 
     out his boyhood dream of becoming a fireman.
       To his fiance, Staci Burger, you know Jason as a brave and 
     decent man. Carry that with you, always.
       Daniel Hoover-Najera, Firefighter, 20 years old and in his 
     second season of firefighting. As a young man, he was 
     determined to one day grow up and become a firefighter.
       To his mother Gloria Ayala, his stepfather Efren Ayala, his 
     father and stepmother, Tim and Lisa Hoover, his brother 
     Michael, his sister Monica, and his grandfather Patrick 
     Najera, who helped raise him: I say this: Daniel will be 
     missed by all those who knew him. He was a passionate young 
     man, full of many talents, hopes and dreams. He was taken too 
     young. But he leaves a strong heritage--hold onto it.
       Pablo Cerda, 23 years old when he lost his life in his 
     second season with the Forest Service.
       To his father, Pablo, your son graduated from Riverside 
     Community College's fire academy only last May. He paid his 
     own way. His services, his terrible burns will not be 
     forgotten by any of us.
       And to his older sister, Claudia, your brother Pablo will 
     be remembered for his strength and dedication. Be proud of 
     him always.
       The deaths of these five members of the Engine 57 crew 
     represent a tremendous loss for this community, our State, 
     and the nation.
       As we move forward from this painful tragedy, we must work 
     to protect ourselves from another fire like.
       Just a few miles from here, in the mountains of the San 
     Bernardino National Forest, are over a half million acres of 
     bark beetle infested forest. Nestled among these trees are 
     the homes of roughly 150,000 people.
       The five firefighters who lost their lives and the more 
     than 2,500 firefighters who fought this fire had to prevent 
     the flames from reaching the bark beetle infested areas, 
     which would have likely caused a catastrophic fire taking 
     with it, whole communities and thousands of homes.
       Governor Schwarzenegger, Representatives Lewis, Bono, Baca 
     and I have fought for increased funding to protect our 
     communities from hazardous fuels.
       We must recommit ourselves to this effort and remove these 
     dead and dying trees and non-native brush that present such a 
     great fire hazard.
       And our firefighters must have the tools and training to do 
     their jobs.
       To the 34 families who lost your homes. I say this: We will 
     help in any way we can. Our heartfelt feelings are extended 
     to you.
       To the firefighters here today, we owe you no less. Know 
     that we value your service and commitment to fire prone 
     communities up and down the state.
       Finally, in closing--to the families of these five brave 
     firefighters, I offer my sincerest and deepest condolences. 
     My heart is truly with you.
  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent a Feinstein amendment, which is at 
the desk, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and 
passed, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table with no 
intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 5192) was agreed to, as follows:


                           amendment no. 5192

       On page 1, line 5, strike ``Act of 2005'' and insert ``Act 
     of 2006''.
       On page 6, line 1, strike ``fiscal year 2006'' and all that 
     follows through line 2 and insert the following: ``fiscal 
     year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of 
     fiscal years 2009 and 2010.''.
  The bill (S. 994), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows:
  (The bill will be printed in a future edition of the Record.)

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