[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 3458, THE FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS ASSISTANCE TAX 
                       CLARIFICATION ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, we're here today because of a heinous act that 
took place in Webster, New York on December 24th, 2012, when a group of 
volunteer firefighters responding to a fire was ambushed by a gunman 
who had deliberately set the fire. Two firefighters were killed and two 
others were injured.
  While donations for the firefighters and their families were made to 
the West Webster Fire Department, a 501(c)(3) organization, the rules 
governing non-profit groups prevent the funds from being distributed in 
a way that does not further the organization's exempt purpose. In this 
case, these rules prevented the donations from being distributed as 
intended to the victims and their families.
  I am proud to stand here today in support of the ``Fallen 
Firefighters Assistance Tax Clarification Act of 2013,'' introduced by 
my colleague from New York Rep. Louise Slaughter to address the error 
and help care for these firefighters and their families.
  With the anniversary of this terrible act approaching, I ask that my 
colleagues join me in honoring the memory and sacrifice of these 
volunteer responders and approve this common sense legislation.

                          ____________________