[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 155 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S12853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORTING THE WORK OF FIREFIGHTERS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 345.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 345) supporting the work of 
     firefighters to educate and protect the Nation's communities, 
     and the goals and ideals of Fire Prevention Week, October 7-
     13, 2007, as designated by the National Fire Protection 
     Association.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 345) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 345

       Whereas firefighters have maintained their dedication to 
     the health and safety of the American public since the first 
     American fire departments were organized in the colonial era;
       Whereas today's firefighters provide a multitude of 
     services, including emergency medical services, special 
     rescue response, hazardous material and terrorism response, 
     and public safety education;
       Whereas more than 1,130,000 firefighters protect the United 
     States through their heroic service;
       Whereas the Nation's fire departments respond to emergency 
     calls nearly once per second and dispatch to fire emergencies 
     every 20 seconds;
       Whereas approximately 1,600,000 fires are reported 
     annually;
       Whereas firefighters respond with courage to all disasters, 
     whether they be acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or 
     other emergencies;
       Whereas 343 firefighters sacrificed their lives responding 
     heroically to the events of September 11, 2001;
       Whereas firefighters from across the Nation responded with 
     remarkable selflessness throughout the areas affected by 
     Hurricane Katrina;
       Whereas 89 firefighters lost their lives in 2006, and over 
     80,000 were injured in the line of duty;
       Whereas we have honored firefighters for educating the 
     American public since President Harding declared the first 
     Fire Prevention Week in 1922;
       Whereas the National Fire Protection Association has 
     designated the week of October 7-13, 2007 as Fire Prevention 
     Week; and
       Whereas educating Americans on methods of fire prevention 
     and escape planning continues to be a priority for all 
     firefighters: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the work of firefighters to educate and 
     protect the Nation's communities; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Fire Prevention Week, 
     October 7-13, 2007, as designated by the National Fire 
     Protection Association.

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