[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H4692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LAST FIRE ALARM FOR FIREFIGHTERS JAMES HARLOW, SR. AND DAMION HOBBS

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the safety of our Nation's citizens 
often depends on the courageous Americans who choose to serve as 
firefighters. They answer the sound of the alarm every day to protect 
and to serve.
  On April 12, 2009, two Texas firemen were killed in the line of duty 
while rushing into a burning home to look for an elderly couple. 
Captain James Arthur Harlow, Sr. and Firefighter Damion Jon Hobbs both 
served at Houston Fire Station Number 26.
  Captain Harlow served 29 years at the Houston Fire Department. He was 
married to Debbie, and a wonderful father and grandfather. He also 
liked to hunt and to fish.
  Firefighter Hobbs served our country for 10 years in the United 
States Army, where he just recently returned from Iraq to join the 
Houston Fire Department. He left behind parents, siblings and his 
longtime girlfriend, Crystal. The fire that took his life was his very 
first alarm call.
  Mr. Speaker, our country is better because of remarkable Americans 
that risk their lives to protect us from harm. Firefighters rush to the 
sound of the alarm to fight the fires that destroy our communities and 
threaten lives of citizens. Two of those firefighters, James Harlow, 
Sr. and Damion Hobbs, gave their lives in that sacred duty.
  And that's just the way it is.

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