[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THOSE WHO FOUGHT THE ANGEL ISLAND FIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic 
firefighters who, with bravery and dedication, halted the fire that 
threatened to devastate Angel Island State Park, one of our Nation's 
unparalleled treasures, located in San Francisco Bay near Tiburon in 
Marin County, California.
  Heroic firefighters across America brave flames and smoke to save 
lives and protect homes and property. Everyday these men and women risk 
their safety on our behalf.
  On Sunday, October 12, 2008 flames threatened to swallow Angel 
Island, a renowned landmark that boasts a history dating back to the 
Civil War. In 1863, Angel Island was home to Camp Reynolds, which 
guarded the bay during the Civil War. The island later served as an 
immigration station, dubbed ``The Ellis Island of the West''. During 
the Cold War, the Nike missile site was located on Angel Island.
  Many of these structures are truly windows into our past. In 
particular, I have worked with my colleagues and with concerned 
citizens such as the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation to 
restore the immigration station. The stories of peoples' lives are 
literally written into its walls and have much to tell us about our own 
history and humanity.
  When fire raged at Angel Island, threatening to devastate our 
Nation's jewel, 275 firefighters united forces to stop the fire and 
ultimately protect 120 historic buildings and 360 acres from 
destruction.
  Days after the orange and red flames dissipated into a cloud of 
smoke, a crew of 100 dedicated firefighters remained on the island to 
complete their duties.
  Successfully battling a major wildland fire is never the act of one 
person alone. Marin's fire agencies have an effective mutual aid 
agreement which brought skilled personnel and resources from agencies 
throughout the County with a shared objective--saving the Island's 
historical buildings and minimizing resource damage. Angel Island Park 
personnel were an instrumental part of the command structure and, with 
the help of the U.S. Coast Guard, quickly evacuated overnight campers 
to a safe location. As always, the air attack and support provided by 
crews and personnel from CAL FIRE gave firefighters the upper hand to 
ultimately bring the fire under control. This was an amazing example of 
inter-agency cooperation that was the key to a successful outcome.
  Madam Speaker, I thank these leaders and their crews who saved a 
tremendous part of our history. They and their many colleagues across 
the country are truly our heroes. Thanks to their tireless and timely 
response to a looming threat, Angel Island, a beacon of history and 
environmental beauty, can continue to enrich the lives of visitors from 
around the world.

                          ____________________