[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES FOR VICTIMS OF TESORO REFINERY FIRE IN 
                         ANACORTES, WASHINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of House Resolution 1262, which honors the victims of the fire 
at the Tesoro Refinery in Anacortes, Washington and expresses 
condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones in the wake of 
this tragic incident.
  On April 2, 2010, as a team of seven employees worked in the 
refinery's naphtha hydro-treater, a devastating fire broke out. While 
the fire was quickly brought under control by Tesoro's fire control 
team and local first responders, three of the employees died 
immediately in the fire, three more died of their injuries, and another 
remains in intensive care after suffering severe burns.
  I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the community of 
Anacortes and the entire state of Washington, including to 
Representative Rick Larsen who represents the affected community. Our 
district has five refineries that employ many of our constituents and 
we share in their unfortunate loss.
  As we continue to deal with the devastating consequences of this 
episode, we must also direct our attention to preventing losses of life 
like this in the future. Ensuring the safety of our refineries must be 
a top priority to protect the security and wellbeing of our workers, 
their families, and communities.
  Again, I would like to express my condolences to the families, 
friends, and loved ones of those killed in the fire and also offer my 
support and hope for a full recovery to the Anacortes community.

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