[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7037-S7038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 637--HONORING THE INDIVIDUALS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN 
      THE TRAGIC FIRE IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ON DECEMBER 2, 2016

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 637

       Whereas, on Friday, December 2, 2016, a fire broke out at 
     the Ghost Ship, an artist collective warehouse located in the 
     Fruitvale community on 31st Avenue in Oakland, California;
       Whereas Oakland, California, and its arts community 
     suffered a horrific tragedy that evening and continue to 
     mourn the loss of the individuals who died in the fire;
       Whereas, according to city of Oakland officials, the Ghost 
     Ship warehouse fire is the deadliest fire in the history of 
     Oakland;
       Whereas, according to Alameda County Sheriff's Office, as 
     of December 5, 2016, 36 individuals perished in the fire;
       Whereas it took more than 50 firefighters not less than 4 
     hours to extinguish the fire and an aggressive, coordinated 
     effort to secure the scene by--
       (1) the Oakland Fire Department;
       (2) the Oakland Police Department;
       (3) the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, including--
       (A) the Coroner's Bureau; and
       (B) the Alameda County Search and Rescue Unit;
       (4) Oakland Public Works;
       (5) the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services;
       (6) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 
     Explosives;
       (7) the American Red Cross; and
       (8) other agencies;
       Whereas first responders, firefighters, and recovery 
     personnel, including agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, 
     Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have worked around the 
     clock to support the families of the victims and the 
     community;
       Whereas first responders and recovery personnel--
       (1) are vital to the ongoing recovery efforts; and
       (2) continue to investigate the cause of the deadly fire; 
     and
       Whereas the officials of the city of Oakland, California, 
     have worked tirelessly to heal the community: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the individuals who lost their lives in the 
     tragic fire in Oakland, California, on December 2, 2016;
       (2) honors the sacrifice of the first responders, 
     firefighters, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
     Firearms and Explosives, and all individuals who put 
     themselves in harm's way to help save lives and continue to 
     respond to the fire;

[[Page S7038]]

       (3) expresses continued solidarity with the people of the 
     East Bay of the State of California as they work to heal 
     their community;
       (4) reaffirms its commitment to support long-term recovery 
     efforts in partnership with local and State governments, 
     citizens, and businesses;
       (5) supports the city of Oakland's continued emergency 
     response efforts and work to assist the families of the 
     victims of the fire; and
       (6) offers condolences and support to the families and 
     loved ones of the victims of the fire.

                          ____________________