[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMENDING HEMET AND PALM SPRINGS FIREFIGHTERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ruiz) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, this week, members of the Hemet and Palm 
Springs Fire Departments gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 
International Association of Firefighters' annual legislative 
conference.
  I met with several of them in my office and want to express my 
personal appreciation for their unrelenting service that so often goes 
above and beyond their call of duty.
  Last December, tragedy struck in my district when three children and 
their father died in an apartment complex fire in Hemet, California.
  Despite the dangerous and grim circumstances, Hemet first responders 
worked heroically and helped save lives.
  Days later, the Hemet Fire Department, in a demonstration of 
kindness, joined with community members to give financial support for 
the victims' family and everyone affected by the fire.
  They simply said they were closing the loop. From fire to getting 
them back on their feet, they saw it as their responsibility to help 
those who were afflicted.
  This act of compassion shown by the first responders is just one 
example of the selflessness in which they live their lives every day.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the firefighters from Hemet and Palm Springs, 
and I thank first responders everywhere. Their heroism is as inspiring 
as it is impactful.

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