[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           TRIBUTE TO THE FIREFIGHTERS OF THE THIRTYMILE FIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in honor of four heroic 
individuals from Washington State who gave their lives protecting our 
precious national forests. On July 10, 2001, Tom Craven, Karen 
Fitzpatrick, Jessica Johnson, and Devin Weaver died while battling a 
fire in the Okanogan National Forest. The House of Representatives, 
rightly so, has already passed a resolution honoring these 
firefighters, but I would like to share with my colleagues, and indeed 
the rest of the nation, a little more about these courageous young 
Americans whose lives were cut far too short.
  Tom Craven, of Ellensburg, began working for the Forest Service as a 
firefighter in 1990. Tom earned 11 letters from Cle Elum High School in 
football, track, and basketball, and played football at the College of 
the Redwoods in Eureka, CA. He graduated from Central Washington 
University in 1997, and was the first member of the Craven family to 
graduate from college and obtain a degree. A devoted family man, Tom is 
survived by his wife, Evelyn, and his two children.
  Karen Fitzpatrick, of Yakima, had just graduated from West Valley 
High School where she was an honor student, soccer player, and 
musician. She was involved in the Department of Ecology's Youth Corps, 
active in her church and the Kiwanis Key Club, and loved to cook, bake, 
and sew. Karen is survived by her parents, John and Kathie Fitzpatrick.
  Jessica Johnson, of Yakima, graduated from West Valley High School in 
1999 and was a junior at Central Washington University majoring in Food 
Science and Nutrition. She loved the outdoors and was strong in body 
and spirit. A volunteer at West Valley Fire Department since 1998, 
Jessica is survived by her parents, Jody Gray and Rick Johnson.
  Devin Weaver, of Yakima, was enrolled in Yakima Valley Community 
College since 1999 and was planning to pursue a degree in Electrical 
Engineering from the University of Washington. He loved the outdoors 
and enjoyed backpacking, hunting, and camping in his free time. Since 
the eighth grade, Devin worked for his father's silk-flower 
manufacturing business and always volunteered for extra work 
assignments. Devin is survived by his parents, Ken and Barbara Weaver.
  Firefighters are on the front lines, every single day, saving lives 
and safeguarding our property and natural resources. While most of us 
would immediately flee a smoky, fire-engulfed home, building, or 
forest, these brave souls choose to enter these dangerous places 
sacrificing their safety for ours. I want to thank them personally for 
their bravery and their courage. Their heroism is of the same rank as 
so many other American patriots who have lost their lives in service to 
our country. Tom, Karen, Jessica, and Devin--you are in our thoughts 
and prayers.

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