[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 87 (Thursday, May 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN'S LEGACY IN FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE 
                   SAFETY, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2019

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, between May 5 and 7 of this year, 
national leaders representing every facet of the fire service gathered 
together in Key West, Florida for three days of discussions on the 
future of fire prevention, public education, and fire service 
challenges in general. They attended the event at the invitation of the 
Harry S. Truman Foundation. Each year, the Truman Foundation conducts 
an annual symposium at the Truman Little White House to reflect on the 
legacy of our nation's 33rd President. The theme of the 2019 symposium 
was, ``Truman's Legacy Towards Fire Prevention, Fire Safety, and 
Historic Preservation.'' In 1947, President Truman convened a 
conference on fire prevention following a series of devastating fires 
that captured the attention of the nation. Hundreds of representatives 
from government, business, non-government organizations, and the fire 
service attended the Washington conference. In his remarks to the 
attendees, Truman stated, ``Safety from fire should not be a topic for 
discussion during only one or two weeks of the year. It is definitely a 
year-round public responsibility.'' Seventy-two years later, President 
Truman's words inspired the assembly of prominent fire service leaders 
to meet in Key West.
  The Truman Foundation asked the National Fallen Firefighters 
Foundation to serve as a co-facilitator of the recent program. By every 
account, both organizations did an exemplary job in conducting the 
event. Presentations by notable fire service leaders addressed a broad 
range of issues that span the important work in fire prevention. For 
example, on the third day, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 
conducted a forum to identify key areas for advancing fire prevention 
in our nation. Watching the recent success in Florida, I remain so 
impressed by the ability of the national fire organizations to work 
together to address the needs of firefighters and public safety. This 
ability is something I have witnessed throughout my years as a co-Chair 
of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
  Seventy-two years have passed since the 1947 conference, and during 
that time, the number of victims dying in fires has decreased to 
approximately 3,000 each year. This isn't a coincidence. But the fire 
service leaders assembled in Key West this month didn't see this as an 
achievement; instead, they recognized that more work needs to be done.
  The strength of our nation has always been the indomitable spirit of 
our citizens. The fire service personifies that spirit. I commend the 
Harry S. Truman Foundation and the National Fallen Firefighters 
Foundations for bringing together our nation's leading fire officials. 
And I pledge my continued support for the more than one million 
firefighters across the nation who are prepared to respond to the next 
call for help and to the family members who lose loved ones in the line 
of duty. God bless all of them.

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